Australian Drivers – Calm, Revheads or Roadhogs

Calm Driving

Anyone who has driven in Sydney will be well aware that it can be a stressful experience. Yet Australia has often claimed to be a nation of ‘relaxed’ drivers.

So just who is doing all the tailgating, cutting in, horn blowing and finger gesturing seen daily on Australian roads? And not just in Sydney.

Australians were asked if they agreed with the statement: “I think I’m a good driver, but I like to stay calm on the road so I don’t feel the need to be aggressive.”

Levels of agreement varied from city to city.

Melbourne claimed the most calm drivers (51 percent) followed by Brisbane (48 percent), Perth (43 percent) and Sydney (39 percent).

At 31 percent Adelaide had the fewest calm drivers, according to Research International.

“It’s interesting to see that the cities you think might be more stressed like Melbourne and Sydney are saying they are less so than a smaller centre like Adelaide,” Research International’s Strategy Director, Jonathan Sinton said.

Revheads

Rev heads were identified by their agreement with the statement: “I like driving fast and taking challenges. I feel that I drive better than most others on the road.”

Interestingly, Adelaide claimed the largest proportion of rev heads (nine percent) followed by Melbourne (eight percent), Brisbane (five percent), Sydney (four percent) and sedate Perth at just two percent.

Roadhogs

“I feel competitive on the road and get easily frustrated with other people’s driving. Often I wish I had the road to myself!”.

Again, Adelaide polled the largest number of roadhogs (23 percent) followed by Melbourne (14 percent), Perth (12 percent), Brisbane (11 percent) and Sydney at 10 percent.

Convenience Drivers

“I drive because it’s a convenient way to get around, not because I enjoy driving. I don’t feel any connection with my car.”

Perth had the most ‘A to B’ drivers (22 percent) followed by Sydney (19 percent), Adelaide (16 percent), Brisbane (15 percent) and Melbourne (14 percent).

* Over 1000 people nationwide aged 18-60 took part in the survey.