An AA survey of more than 7,000 Irish motorists has shown that mobile phone use and failure to indicate at roundabouts are the most common examples of everyday bad driving.
Drivers also complained of other road users speeding, showing poor lane discipline, tailgating, and driving aggressively. Using a mobile phone while driving topped the poll at almost 60 per cent.
Females and those under the age of 24 were the most likely to commit to the offence, according to the survey. This was closely followed by 59 per cent reporting incorrect indicating at a roundabout.
“Road are dangerous at the best of times, and they are also complex places where everyone’s good depends on everyone’s co-operation,” says director of policy Conor Faughnan.
“Little omissions, like not indicating properly, might not mean much to the individual driver but they affect everyone else.”
Some 57 per cent of motorists witness speeding on a daily basis. Not surprising, males were twice as likely to speed on a daily basis as females. Drivers under the age of 35 were also twice as likely to speed as those over 55 years of age.
Yet when drivers were questioned on their own everyday driving habits, the majority stated they never engaged in the behaviors outlined. Some 40 per cent did however admit to speeding on occasion.
Incorrect or failure to indicate while changing lanes was reported in half of motorists surveyed. Poor lane discipline was reported daily in a further 48 per cent of motorists, while 38 per cent reported incorrect indicating while overtaking.
One third of drivers witness aggressive driving, tailgating, incorrect indication turning right and left, and general low levels of attention on a daily basis. A further 20 per cent experience rude behaviour with nine per cent encountering road rage such as car horns and abusive language.
