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Exclusive Insight: Australians have cast their votes on the most aggravating driving habits, and it appears that many drivers are guilty of committing the most common infractions.
Some of these irritating behaviors can also lead to significant fines and penalties.
Leading the list of grievances is tailgating, with over half of the participants in a recent survey identifying it as one of the top three most annoying habits on the road.
In fact, more than 40 percent of respondents singled it out as the number one annoyance.
Closely following tailgating is the failure to use indicators, with 36 percent of Australians surveyed ranking it among their top three driving pet peeves.
In third place was cutting into a lane without warning, which 29 per cent of Aussies included in their top three.
Driving too slowly in the right lane, using a phone while driving and road rage were also commonly cited among the most annoying habits Aussies experience on our roads.
Almost 40 per cent of respondents said they witnessed these annoying and potentially unsafe driving habits weekly.
Nearly one in five reported experiencing them almost daily.
About a quarter said they had reported other drivers for unsafe or annoying behaviour on Australian roads in the past.
When asked how these bad habits should be combatted, more than 40 per cent of Aussies were in favour of stricter penalties.
And the penalties for some of these behaviours are already pretty severe.
Tailgating, or following a lead vehicle too closely, is dangerous and illegal in Australia.
Fines and penalties are as follows:
- NSW: $562 fine and three demerit points
- Queensland: $389 fine and one demerit point
- Victoria: $305.26 fine and one demerit point
- ACT: $447 fine and one demerit point
- SA: $414 fine and one demerit point
- WA: $200 fine and two demerit points
- NT: N/A
- Tasmania: fine of up to 10 penalty units ($2050)
Failing to indicate when turning or misusing indicator lights could land drivers with a fine and other penalties.
Fines and penalties are as follows:
- NSW: $235 fine and two demerit points
- Queensland: $100 and two demerit points
- Victoria: $203.51 fine and up to two demerit points
- ACT: $224 fine
- SA: $392 fine and two demerit points
- WA: N/A
- NT: $60
- Tasmania: $146 fine and two demerit points
Cutting in without warning
It is an offence to not give adequate room to other cars when overtaking or overtake when it’s not safe, also known as ‘cutting in’. 
Fines and penalties are as follows:
- NSW: $423 fine and two demerit points
- Queensland: $233 and two demerit points
- Victoria: $407.02 fine and two demerit points
- ACT: $335 fine and two demerit points
- SA: $377 fine and two demerit points
- WA: $400 fine and four demerit points
- NT: $70
- Tasmania: fine of up to 10 penalty units ($2050)
Driving too slowly in the right lane
There are no specific road rules or penalties for driving too slowly in the right lane.
However, it is an offence in all states and territories to drive significantly below the speed limit and in doing so create an obstruction for other vehicles.
Drivers can also face penalties for driving in the right lane when not overtaking on a road with ‘keep left unless overtaking’ signs posted, or on some roads with high speed limits.
Using a phone while driving
Using or even touching a phone while driving is illegal in all Australian states and territories.
Fines and penalties are as follows:
- NSW: fines start at $423 and five demerit points
- Queensland: $1,251 fine and four demerit points
- Victoria: $611 fine and four demerit points
- ACT: $548 fine to $674 and three to four demerit points
- SA: $658 fine and three demerit points
- WA: $500 fine to $1000 and four demerit points
- NT: $500 fine and three demerit points
- Tasmania: $410 fine and three demerit points
Aggressive driving/road rage
Aggressive driving and road rage aren’t standalone offences in Australia, but engaging in engaging in violent or aggressive behaviour on the road can attract hefty fines and penalties, including prison time.
Furious and reckless driving is knowingly or carelessly driving in a way which seriously endangers others.
Predatory and menacing driving offences occur when a driver pursues or threatens someone else on the road with the intent to cause physical injury.
Fines and penalties vary depending on the specific offence and where it occurred.
