Which Traffic Transgression Bothers You The Most on The Road?

foxpants on 01/12/2021 - 16:24
Last edited 01/12/2021 - 17:08 by 1 other user

Wether its a calm "what's this cabbage up to?" or vein busting anger outbursts at the wilful dangerous stupidity you just witnessed, what is it that people do when driving / sharing our roads that annoys you the most?

Hoons? Speeding? Driving too slow? Drivers on phones? Right lane hogs? Inattention? Failing to stop, give way, indicate? Cyclists?

Riding a motorcycle, not stopping/giving way winds me up, I always feel like they haven't seen me but it seems to be intentional most of the time. And bloody mobile phones.

Automotive

Comments

    • ebN on 02/12/2021 - 11:44
      +5

      hard disagree

    • Chael Sonnen on 02/12/2021 - 12:46
      +3

      Driving while being on your phone doesn't really seem like a mistake to me..

      • tomleonhart on 03/12/2021 - 07:07
        -2

        And what are you going to do about it? Are you going to confront them? If you are then that's good for you, if you are not then you're just getting annoyed and the other person doesn't even know you're annoyed.

        Win - win? You waste energy being annoyed at something that nobody knows about, the other person carries on as normal.

        • Chael Sonnen on 03/12/2021 - 10:05
          +5

          The point was that not all poor driving is done unintentionally as implied by your comment "we all make mistakes".

          Taking a phone out to text or to check Facebook while driving seems like a pretty deliberate action to me. They don't "accidentally" do this.

          • tomleonhart on 03/12/2021 - 12:54
            +1

            @Chael Sonnen: and my point is people getting wind up for it solves nothing, intentional or unintentional from the other party is irrelevant. Of course unless they decide to go and confront the culprit then sure, be mad. Otherwise, the only people who will hear about your annoyance are your family and/or the drivers that didn't do it in the first place.

            Look through this thread, all you see are people complaining about other drivers. Do you think the drivers that causes such annoyance will read these ?

            • njastar on 03/12/2021 - 16:20
              +1

              @tomleonhart: Getting angry at someone who's endangering the lives of everyone around them deliberately, seems appropriate to me. I'd say most accidents are from deliberate actions like drinking or being on the phone.

              • tomleonhart on 03/12/2021 - 16:33
                +1

                @njastar: Of course it's appropriate, but the question is what are you going to do about it? and I meant deliverable action, productively. Are you going to confront them?

                If you can't do anything about it, why rage? Just accept that there are idiots on the road and keep calm and hope the law enforcement will get them.

                • htc on 05/12/2021 - 22:45
                  +1

                  @tomleonhart: I am similar to tomleonhart, I rarely use the horn. There are many generous drivers on the road, who give ways although often we met drivers that are selfish and drive dangerously. All I can do is to keep a safe distance. I agree tomleonhart that we all can make mistake and hope others can forgive us when we make mistake. Once I witnessed a person got out of the truck because he was horned at and verbally insulted the driver that horned him and he also verbally threaten the driver. On another occasion I witnessed an angry person driving and happened to meet another angry person, both were in the car and throwing insult to each other. Both were hoping the other person get out of the car and start a fight. In the end no one got out of the car and at some point they drove in different direction.

    • sk3iron on 03/12/2021 - 00:11

      If you can't see the problem, you probably are the problem.

      • tomleonhart on 03/12/2021 - 07:08
        +7

        Tell me, what's good coming out of getting annoyed and angry at other drivers ? Does that make your own driving safer when you're mad? or does it make the other driver driving safer because now you're mad? Or it just makes the whole thing worse ?

    • Gandalf the Grey on 04/12/2021 - 08:43

      I'm exactly the same… I get there when I get there and there's no point being bothered about those around you…. I am never late, nor am I early, I arrive precisely when I mean to.

  • singlemalt72 on 01/12/2021 - 16:27
    +73

    Idiots who think that "I can see where I'm going, I don't need my lights" in dark/wet/low light conditions.

    You turn them on so people can see YOU!

    • pharkurnell on 01/12/2021 - 16:27
      +6

      ^^^ THIS!!!! Its not like you have to save battery power…

    • tonyjzx on 01/12/2021 - 22:05
      +16

      tbf I dont think anyone thinks that

      the reason is people forget to turn on their lights, that's it

      • Caped Baldy on 01/12/2021 - 23:00
        +17

        Nah, there's heaps of clueless people out there and it's terrifying.

        • ATangk on 02/12/2021 - 15:53
          -3

          The issue itself lies in the DRL, some of them are bright enough it 'looks' like you have lights on, but it doesnt turn the brake lights on. Or auto headlight feature, I always kept it on but the mechanics turned it off whilst it was in the shop. Didn't realise when driving along the main roads as the road is quite bright with all the street lights and other vehicles.

          • achew on 02/12/2021 - 21:35

            @ATangk: if so, then it's a case of the driver not being a competent operator of their vehicle.

            RTFM & conduct checks

            achew
            'scuse me

            • ATangk on 02/12/2021 - 21:50
              +2

              @achew: RTFM? I would bet that less than 5% of drivers have.

          • banana365 on 03/12/2021 - 11:54
            -2

            @ATangk:

            but it doesnt turn the brake lights on

            No, it's the brake pedal that does that, regardless of if you've got any other lights turned on or off.

            • ATangk on 03/12/2021 - 14:00
              +1

              @banana365: I hope you're not being a smart arse, you should know I'm talking about the rear facing red lights, some of which are dual staged brake lights.

              • banana365 on 03/12/2021 - 14:07
                -2

                @ATangk: Brake lights come on when you brake. The lights that typically share the same cluster (or even bulb in incandescent setups) are tail lights, not brake lights.

      • singlemalt72 on 02/12/2021 - 08:11
        +4

        Most cars now have an auto light feature that is almost idiot-proof. It's as bad as those jerks who, you know have cruise control in their car and drive at 95 in a hundred zone, then speed up to 110 as soon as there is an overtaking lane.

        They live amongst us.

        • CommuterPolluter on 02/12/2021 - 12:31
          +2

          I think think most cars do not have automatic lights. Probably many or most cars less than five years old. The average age of the Australian car fleet is about ten years, with 30% less than 5 years old (at least in 2017). Almost no car older than 10 years old would have automatic lights.

        • Sleepycat3 on 02/12/2021 - 15:12
          +1

          They leave it off as they think their daytime running lights (those thin strips of LEDs) are bright enough to illuminate the road.

        • playswithfire on 03/12/2021 - 11:46

          those jerks who, you know have cruise control in their car and drive at 95 in a hundred zone, then speed up to 110 as soon as there is an overtaking lane

          I do believe those are called Passholes. ;)

      • Castcore on 02/12/2021 - 16:25
        +2

        Gotta agree, I can't think of any reason why someone would intentionally leave them off? Not to say there isn't a reason for some people.

        Best thing someone can do is give them a flash or indication that the lights are off, I know I'd appreciate that. Much better than simply getting angry.

        • Emerald Owl on 04/12/2021 - 15:40

          Wear out the globe, wear out battery, cmon.

    • UserNameCheckIn on 02/12/2021 - 11:06
      +5

      WA had some good billboards with life preserver rings superimposed over a car's headlights, with a big headline "Headlights save lives"

      Was a really good and clear message. Having lights on makes such a difference.

      For anyone that doesn't have lights that automatically turn off or sound an alarm when you leave them on & turn the igniting off - lock your door if you turn your lights on the daytime. Unlocking your door will jolt your memory.

      Used to save me a flat 🔋 or 2.

      • CommuterPolluter on 02/12/2021 - 12:32

        Probably not a bad idea if your car doesn’t have soft-locking.

  • pharkurnell on 01/12/2021 - 16:27
    +3

    Hoons? Speeding? Driving too slow? Drivers on phones? Right lane hogs? Inattention? Failing to stop, give way, indicate? Cyclists?

    Yes + shit load of other things…

  • singlemalt72 on 01/12/2021 - 16:27
    +52

    "Cyclists" is not a traffic transgression.

    • Drakesy on 02/12/2021 - 13:03
      +9

      When the existence of another vehicle frustrates someone so much that the media declares a war…
      It really is a bit petty.

      Not conducive to a safe road sharing environment

      *am a cyclist

    • Kingfield on 02/12/2021 - 13:06
      -2

      LOL, that said, cycling on high-traffic roads should honestly be a traffic transgression, traffic in Sydney is bad enough as it is.

      • Kivharo on 02/12/2021 - 13:53
        +22

        Ironically, if more people cycled, you would decrease the amount of traffic.

        • sriver on 02/12/2021 - 16:42
          +7

          Outrageous! Next you'll be telling me there'll be more car parks as well

        • jaimex2 on 02/12/2021 - 17:02
          +14

          Need to have a more dedicated cycling routes. Sharing with motor vehicles works poorly.

          • banana365 on 03/12/2021 - 11:57
            +3

            @jaimex2: In Australia, definitely. In other countries that I've cycled in it's less of an issue. Australia is a very car centric society and that feeds into a real sense of superiority in a significant proportion of drivers.

            • loki niflheim on 17/12/2021 - 21:31

              @banana365:

              In Australia, definitely. In other countries that I've cycled in it's less of an issue. Australia is a very car centric society and that feeds into a real sense of superiority in a significant proportion of drivers.

              This is too abstract and not entirely true nowadays in Melbourne (I don't know about other places in Australia).

              Based on my observations while driving, what happens is usually:
              1. Car driving at 60, met a bicycle (or several bicycles) start driving at the speed of the bicycles and the sudden slowdown backs up the traffic and the greater the speed difference, the greater the probability of sudden breaking which can lead to accidents. Fear turns to anger and road rage.

              What should've happened was, the cars on the left lane will need to then merge smoothly with the cars on the right lane to progress past but this is often not possible when the speed difference is too high. When the left hand lane driver spots the bicycles from far away and change lane ahead of time, there's usually no friction. There's not so much 'sense of superiority', the overtake lanes exists (mostly in country roads) way before bicycles come into the equation, for a reason. Even between cars some have stronger engine than others, when there's only 1 lane climbing a steep hill you can pay for a fancy dinner collecting a dollar for every swear words in the cars driving behind a 1.2L engine car.

              1. Car driving at 60, met a bicycle on a shared bicycle lane that's too small that the 1.5 meter distance road rule means the car needs to be on the next lane, become smaller (if there's only 1 lane), or the bicycle go on the sidewalk (if one exist) or on top of parked cars.

              Nowadays when this happen, I see cars slow down to 'creep past' the bicycle or change lanes.

              This is why the argument for dedicated and standardized cycling paths is sound. We shouldn't let state and local government's lack of investment and co-operation to think through this public infrastructure issue by pointing fingers at each other, but each of us should demand they do things properly and co-operate for standards and inclusion in all new road projects. Whatever extra costs they're crying about, make sure you call their bullshit.

        • Kit666 on 03/12/2021 - 10:05
          +2

          I would say the majority of people in Sydney cycle for leisure (uber eats riders not counted) and the majority of people in Sydney drive to get somewhere (cycling is not a suitable substitute for the commute).

          While I agree cyclists on high traffic roads are a hazard, particularly narrow mountain roads with blind corners (e.g. Bobbin Head in Sydney), cyclists have every right to be there, and as long as drivers and cyclists are behaving sensibly, then we should all be able to co exist. The key word here is SENSIBLY, which in Sydney probably only accounts for 1% of people on the road!

          Driver / Rider education is the key here and the attitude that driving / riding is a right rather than a privilege needs to change.

        • SolitaryMan on 03/12/2021 - 13:06
          -1

          Not if those people would otherwise be catching public transport you wouldn’t.

      • akashra on 02/12/2021 - 19:10
        +4

        It always amazes me that the first person think to get mad at is the people using infrastructure, rather than the council or government for not improving or making the infrastructure adequate.

        • Tleyx on 03/12/2021 - 11:09
          -5

          There's only a certain amount of space if everyone wants to go through same space there is nothing the government can do

          • banana365 on 03/12/2021 - 12:00
            +2

            @Tleyx: Make it easier for those who feel they need a car to get where they're going to take alternatives. Get 10% taking the bus/walking/cycling then there'd be significantly less congestion. Make that 20% and you could reduce the lane count on many roads.

            • Tleyx on 03/12/2021 - 12:13
              +1

              @banana365: They are trying to do that and then cars make life hell for cyclists and pedestrians so people switch back

              I was crossing a side road some guy came around two corners then has a go at me. When I started crossing he wasn't even in sight so what the (profanity) am I supposed to do

              • banana365 on 03/12/2021 - 12:42
                +2

                @Tleyx:

                They are trying to do that and then cars make life hell for cyclists and pedestrians so people switch back

                So clearly they need to try harder (governments at all levels). It's not enough to let them off the hook by saying there's nothing they can do.

                • Tleyx on 03/12/2021 - 12:44
                  +1

                  @banana365: It's the car drivers that need to change you can't terrorise pedestrians and cyclists and then say why is all this traffic here

                  • banana365 on 03/12/2021 - 12:47
                    +1

                    @Tleyx:

                    It's the car drivers that need to change

                    Yes, but that requires an incentive and encouragement. You seem to be complaining about the current situation but accepting it as inevitable. That's not how things improve.

                    • Tleyx on 03/12/2021 - 13:36
                      -1

                      @banana365: Encouragement doesn't work when they get terrorised to go back by cars when they try to be a pedestrian

                      • banana365 on 03/12/2021 - 13:50
                        +2

                        @Tleyx: Yeah, let's give up. Don't bother trying anything different. Our ineffective attempts haven't worked therefore nothing will so it's not worth it. Let's ignore the attempts in other countries that have worked. That couldn't possibly work here.

                        • Tleyx on 03/12/2021 - 14:11

                          @banana365: We need to not encourage but discourage. Police officers as pedestrians pulling up the terrorising cars. Pull them out and send them to G bay

                          Thats action not some some airy fairy encouragment

            • iDroid on 03/12/2021 - 22:27
              +1

              @banana365: Absolutely!

              IMO public transport should be free (ie, tax payer funded). It'd likely be a cost saving in the long run.

              Disclaimer - no data or facts were used or hurt in this assessment.

            • jonathonsunshine on 06/12/2021 - 01:02

              @banana365: it doesn't matter. If you convince one person to take the train or cycle instead of drive, there will be another person who used to catch the train or cycle that will decide that it's now worth driving.

              Everytime they build another road, a new crop of drivers magically appears.

              • banana365 on 06/12/2021 - 10:36

                @jonathonsunshine: Those are two different things and your first one is just another example of where the persuasion/encouragement needs improved. The second one is induced demand, something which is just as hard to escape as governments build roads as a simplistic way to help boost the economy.

                These things aren't easy, but that doesn't mean we just sit back and accept it. As in the video I linked above, if the drive is strong enough then it can be done.

  • Mechz on 01/12/2021 - 16:32
    +27

    Speed cameras are my biggest annoyance.

    • derrida derider on 01/12/2021 - 17:58
      -1

      Speeders are mine. Bring on more cameras I say!

      • orangetrain on 01/12/2021 - 18:28
        +35

        Speed fines should be 3x demerit and zero money fine. By having a non zero money fine, budget managers and private companies have an incentive to maximise revenue even at expense of safety.

        Company speed fines should result in seizure otherwise rich people endanger people's lives at mere cost of $10k in their Lamborghini. (profanity) this 1% loophole to avoid demerit points.

        • raptormesh on 01/12/2021 - 20:11
          +11

          Or fine as % of wealth.

          • Kangal on 01/12/2021 - 22:20
            +1

            @raptormesh: That happened in one country (Austria?) and the fine was hundreds of thousands of dollars.

            Another I've heard he over-sped straight out of the showroom and got his Lambo repossessed by the authorities. Basically half a mil. The idiot didn't learn, and repeated the mistake… guess he's still rich enough to do so :\

            • orangetrain on 02/12/2021 - 00:41
              +2

              @Kangal: I think they meant as a % of income which has been done before in Norway. Unfortunately, a wealthy/rich can have assets in trusts in Cayman Islands and/or declare $0 in taxes.

              Hitting them in demerit points or vehicle used to commit the offence is easy and limits speeding.

              • Kangal on 02/12/2021 - 09:53
                +1

                @orangetrain: Yeah, I know. Hence why the multi-millionaire was hit with a hundred odd thousand dollar fine.

                I also support abolishing revenue from traffic industry. Just make it a demerit system. Australia's taxation system is one of the strongest and most complex in the world. I think the oversight is on large corporations instead of taxing individuals.

                The rich will either drive better, or have a chauffeur (whom will have to drive better). The poor will continue doing the same thing, but at least they won't be poorer for it.

            • EBC on 05/12/2021 - 08:07
              +1

              @Kangal: I'm not sure about any other countries but I know Finland does it. They fine you a number of times roughly 50% of your total daily income. Not sure how they deal with retired wealthy people who claim no income. An ice hockey player was fined 120k euros for speeding in Finland.

              https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/sabres-defenceman-rasmus-ri…

      • dono2 on 03/12/2021 - 20:51

        🤡

    • Caped Baldy on 01/12/2021 - 23:01
      +8

      I hate people that claim that they don't speed and are okay with speed cameras. I try not to speed but an accidental speeding is a thing. Obviously going 30+ kph over is reckless but so is weaving in and out of tiny gaps

        • Caped Baldy on 02/12/2021 - 07:34
          +23

          Ehh? That shows how little you know. Neither the car speedometer or speed cameras have the accuracy/tolerance to measure 1 or 2 kph over.

          Fairly sure that there's around a 5% tolerance for speed cameras. I'd much rather people look out for hazards than stare at their speedos constantly.

          • aearioweu on 02/12/2021 - 11:09

            @Caped Baldy: cars newer than 1995 (I think, suspect I'm off) have a requirement for their speedo to always under-report by 6%.

            In any recent cars you're actually doing 100kph when your speedo reads 106kph. I used to drive a SAAB 900i and that had a pretty accurate speedo and I would always wonder why everyone was driving around 55 or 95 on 60s and 100s.

            This actually raises the question to what the cameras are calibrated to. If they use a car speedo to do it then they're going to be pretty far off the mark

            • trongy on 02/12/2021 - 12:33
              +8

              @aearioweu: The 2006 design rule effectively says that the speedo must not display less than the actual speed but needs to be within 10% + 4km/h if displaying over the actual speed.

              This means if the real speed is 100km/h then displayed speeds of between 100 and 114km/h meet the design rule.

              Australian Speedo accuracy standards

              • akashra on 02/12/2021 - 19:13
                -1

                @trongy: The ADRs on speedo accuracy are pretty easy to understand, and with the way some people speed and whinge about speeding fines probably need to be incorporated in to license tests. By the time you add the tolerance required that the speed camera/radar is required to have, plus the tolerance of the actual speed limit of the sign, plus other tolerances, a lot of the time people sooking about getting clocked at '104' would have had their speedo showing a speed sometimes as much as 120km/h. It's not like it was telling you you were barely over - you were over by a massive chunk, and just refuse to even attempt to follow the road rules.

      • GrueHunter on 02/12/2021 - 16:03
        +9

        I don't speed and I'm okay with speed cameras

        Nice to meet you

        • Caped Baldy on 02/12/2021 - 17:14
          -6

          Do you drive around always going 10kmh under?

          • akashra on 02/12/2021 - 19:14
            +1

            @Caped Baldy: A lot of the time I pretty much have my speed pegged at 78-80 on 80km/h roads according to the GPS (both phone and the one mounted in the car), and it's rare I ever pass another vehicle.

          • UFO on 05/12/2021 - 01:54
            +1

            @Caped Baldy: Who said 10kmh under? That's your exaggeration. How about just do the actual speed limit? If speed limit is 80, do 80!
            No fines, no "10kmh under" rubbish. Just normal, safe, no tickets, driving. It isn't hard.

      • UFO on 05/12/2021 - 01:57
        +1

        "accidental speeding" doesn't exist… its a copout for clueless drivers who aren't aware of the speed they are doing and therefore aren't properly concentrating.
        One or two over doesn't result in a fine… if you're getting a ticket you're well over, considering the allowances already mandated in car speedos.

        It's not hard to follow the speed limit. If it is for you, then hopefully tickets will help you get better at driving.

    • cashless on 02/12/2021 - 09:50

      Which Traffic Transgression Bothers You

      What law have speed cameras broken?

  • Nugs on 01/12/2021 - 16:41
    +46

    dual lane regardless of speed limit where two drivers are side by side and do the speed up slow down routine so no on else can get past. All the more frustrating when they are dawdling and the road is otherwise empty e.g. 50-55km/h in a 60 zone at 5am
    .

    • JTTheMan on 01/12/2021 - 16:51
      +7

      Yes, on top of this after waiting several kilometres for them to split up the driver in front suddenly speeds up to make it even harder to overtake without having to speed!!?!

    • macfudd on 01/12/2021 - 20:56
      +4

      People doing 55km in a 60km zone at 5am is really what bothers you most on the road?

      • Caped Baldy on 01/12/2021 - 23:03
        +14

        When they're side by side it's a nuisance. Ever been stuck by a row of slow walkers hogging the footpath?

        • macfudd on 02/12/2021 - 19:16
          -5

          Quite often. I'm a fast walker and I walk a lot. But it doesn't ruin my day like someone not stopping when I'm halfway across a pedestrian crossing or zooming out a driveway without looking.

          This thread is about what bothers people the most. I just find it amusing that some people rate doing 10% below a speed limit rates as more bothersome than seeing drivers breaking actual laws like excessive speed, failing to give way, merging without looking, tailgating, not using their lights in the dark etc.

      • Myone888 on 02/12/2021 - 08:48
        +4

        It’s these (profanity) who go slowly and not up to speed.

    • Existenz on 02/12/2021 - 15:10

      it's so typical in this country it actually has a name: the Australian roadblock

    • TheBird on 02/12/2021 - 22:06

      I'd kill for a 50-55 in a 60. It's 40 in a 60/50 in a 70 constantly where I am.

    • iDroid on 03/12/2021 - 22:32

      Yes, these people's names go straight into my "special" book….

  • jjjaar on 01/12/2021 - 16:44
    +8

    Just general unsafe driving.

    Speeding. Not worrying about pedestrian crossings. Not passing cyclists with 1m clearance. Travelling too close to the vehicle in front. Using your phone. Basically not sharing the road with all other road users.

    No one wants to have a crash, so we all need to work together to avoid them.

  • CrispyChrispy on 01/12/2021 - 16:45
    +15

    Unpatient drivers using their horns when it really isn't warranted, especially at L-platers at intersections and roundabouts.

    • pharkurnell on 01/12/2021 - 16:49
      +18

      But some people will sit at an intersection waiting to turn left - until there is nothing on the horizon 8klms away….

      Let alone the fact they are turning left into a 3 lane road (springy road for example off eastlink) - when they can turn left into 2 lanes safely as cars are only in the far lane - and get up to speed and merge into the right lane if thats their life mission… yet sit there.. now wheres that link to a train horn that was on Gumtree …

      • CrispyChrispy on 01/12/2021 - 16:54

        Yes, there are some drivers who will be completely oblivious to their surroundings and pass up open opportunities, but the main focus is to drive safely; the drivers behind honking may not be able to see that the coast is still busy, but the driver waiting in front will. Waiting an extra 10 seconds doesn't hurt.

        • pharkurnell on 01/12/2021 - 16:56
          +5

          10 seconds I dont mind…. minutes I do.

      • Castcore on 02/12/2021 - 16:34

        This is actually super interesting, because driving an old manual car and also having been in my friends automatics. I definitely feel more comfortable waiting for a larger gap than my friends would squeeze into but I think that's to do with how quickly they can get up to speed.

        Do you think that could perhaps be a factor?

        • pharkurnell on 02/12/2021 - 16:39
          +1

          not really, just shit drivers.

          people arent taught to drive only to pass a license.. im talking gaps of 100s of mtrs… somethign a truck could safely use..

          • greatlamp on 03/12/2021 - 04:40
            +2

            @pharkurnell: If they are poor drivers and need a larger gap, let them take it and chill.

            The risk/reward of pulling out at the earliest opportunity is heavily against them.

  • Blue Suby on 01/12/2021 - 16:46
    +13

    Red light runners-not even orange when they speed through.

  • slow on 01/12/2021 - 16:46
    +13

    People who are impatient and get fired up and rage and drive like idiots as a result, because it might take them a minute longer to get to their destination
    Take a chill pill people.

    I am always impressed when I visit India. Even though the traffic is horrendous and gridlocked people just accept it and are patient and don't get angry and road rage

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