Youi unveils unwritten rules of Australian road etiquette

Youi has unveiled insights into Australian driving behaviours with its “Australian Unofficial Driving Etiquette Act,”  a guide compiled following a comprehensive survey.

Conducted in February and March, this survey involved 2,000 participants from states across Australia, including Queensland, Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and South Australia, to explore prevalent attitudes and frustrations regarding driving etiquette.

Australian Unofficial Driving Etiquette Act of 2024

The survey has culminated in the Australian Unofficial Driving Etiquette Act, 2024, which proposes five key rules:

• Acknowledgement Mandate, promoting the use of a courtesy wave
• Salutation Mandate, often demonstrated by a single finger wave
• Zipper Merge Method, endorsing a one-car-at-a-time merging technique
• Pedestrian Right of Way, applicable even outside of marked crossings
• Reverse Parallel Parking Edict, suggesting drivers wait for others to park before proceeding

According to the findings, the “thank you” wave is widely recognised as a common road courtesy by 88% of survey respondents. However, actual compliance varies, with only 60% consistently performing this gesture, and 30% doing so occasionally.

Regional and age-related differences in how road etiquette is observed in Australia

Youi’s head of product – vehicle, Marni Jackson, noted significant regional and age-related differences in how these courtesies are observed.

“South Australians and Queenslanders were revealed to be the ‘politest’ behind the wheel (90%), with New South Wales motorists only thanking other drivers a quarter of the time,” she said.

The study also examined reverse parallel parking, a task often dreaded by many drivers. It was revealed that a high percentage of older generations, 91% of Boomers and Pre-boomers, typically wait for another vehicle to finish parking before proceeding. This patience contrasts sharply with Gen Z drivers, of whom only 68% show the same courtesy.

Importance of road etiquette

Paul Maric, co-founder of CarExpert, emphasised the importance of these unspoken rules.

“Aussies stick to a comprehensive array of road regulations that extend beyond the basics we’re typically taught when we’re learning to drive. These unspoken guidelines play a pivotal role in defining Aussie driving culture,” he said. “I personally am a big advocate for the subtle gesture of acknowledging fellow drivers with a single finger while navigating the roads. It’s not only practical but also fosters a sense of camaraderie among my fellow drivers.”

Aside from focusing on road safety, Youi recently emphasised the importance of fuel efficiency in vehicles amid high living costs in Australia.