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:

Failing to indicate when turning or misusing indicator lights could land drivers with a fine and other penalties.

Fines and penalties are as follows:

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:

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:

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.