It feels like a fair statement to say that drivers have got much worse over the past few years.
It almost feels like half the people on the road haven’t actually passed their tests — they’re incredibly rude, not to mention dangerous in how they navigate traffic. If you’re guilty of any of these behaviours when you’re behind the wheel, it’s time to shape up. You’re making other drivers hate you, and you’re potentially putting their safety (and yours) at risk.
1. Ignoring the weather conditions
Some drivers refuse to adjust their driving for rain, snow, or fog. They maintain highway speeds despite reduced visibility and traction, putting pressure on everyone else to keep up or get out of the way. Weather conditions affect everyone equally — pretending they don’t exist doesn’t make you a skilled driver, it makes you a hazard.
2. Merging at the last possible second
You’ve seen them — the drivers who speed past a long line of merged traffic, trying to squeeze in at the very end. This isn’t clever or efficient — it forces everyone who followed the signs to wait even longer. While some argue this is actually better for traffic flow, it only works when everyone agrees to it. In reality, these last-minute merges often cause sudden braking and create those frustrating stop-and-go waves of traffic.
3. Tailgating despite clear weather and good visibility
Following too closely isn’t just aggressive — it’s playing with fire. Even with perfect road conditions and great brakes, tailgating removes the safety cushion everyone needs for unexpected stops. Riding someone’s bumper doesn’t make them drive faster; it just ensures that any sudden changes become dangerous for everyone nearby. The space you save could cost both drivers everything.
4. High beams that never dim
Driving with your high beams on in traffic isn’t just annoying — it’s dangerous. Those extra-bright LED headlights are already intense enough without adding high beams to the mix. When you blind oncoming traffic or the car in front of you, you’re not just being inconsiderate — you’re forcing other drivers to navigate partially blind. Those few seconds of readjustment can make a real difference in reaction time.
5. Being a rolling stop specialist
Stop signs aren’t suggestions, yet some drivers treat them like yield signs. Rolling through stops might save a few seconds, but it creates uncertainty for everyone else at the intersection. Other drivers and pedestrians can’t tell if you’re actually stopping or just slowing down. This unpredictability makes everyone else hesitate, ironically making the whole process take longer than if everyone just stopped properly.
6. Getting distracted at traffic lights
Getting lost in your phone at a red light affects more than just you. When the light turns green, and you’re still scrolling, every car behind you loses precious seconds of the light cycle. Those few moments add up, especially during rush hour when light timing is crucial. By the time you notice and accelerate, the light might be changing again, leaving others stuck for another cycle.
7. Blocking spaces in busy car parks
Some drivers park so poorly, they effectively take up multiple spaces. Whether it’s parking diagonally across lines or leaving huge gaps on both sides, this behaviour shows a complete disregard for others. In busy lots, every space matters. Poor parking doesn’t just inconvenience one other driver — it can affect dozens of people throughout the day, especially in areas with limited parking options.
8. Not using your turn signal
Forgetting to signal isn’t just lazy — it forces everyone else to guess your intentions. Other drivers need to make split-second decisions based on what they think you might do. This creates unnecessary stress and potential danger, especially in heavy traffic or complex intersections. Turn signals aren’t optional features — they’re basic communication tools that keep traffic flowing smoothly.
9. Checking your brakes randomly
Brake checking might feel satisfying in the moment, but it’s incredibly dangerous. Deliberately causing someone behind you to panic brake puts everyone nearby at risk. Even if the other driver was being aggressive, adding more aggressive behaviour to the mix only increases the chance of a serious incident. The momentary satisfaction isn’t worth the potential consequences.
10. Blocking intersections during gridlock
Entering an intersection when there’s no clear exit creates gridlock that can last for multiple light cycles. Even if you have a green light, stopping in the middle of an intersection blocks cross traffic and can paralyse multiple directions of travel. This “me first” approach to gridlocked traffic makes congestion exponentially worse for everyone.
11. Being an exit lane speed racer
Using the exit lane to pass traffic, then trying to merge back into the main lanes, creates dangerous situations. This manoeuvre forces other drivers to either let you in or risk an accident, all while actual exiting traffic gets stuck behind you. It’s not clever or time-saving — it’s creating risk and frustration for everyone involved.
12. Blasting your music
Playing music so loud your car becomes a mobile concert venue isn’t just annoying — it’s distracting for other drivers. Heavy bass vibrations can startle nearby drivers and make it harder for them to hear important sounds like emergency vehicles or car horns. Your musical tastes shouldn’t impact other people’s ability to drive safely.
13. Blocking the entrance to the drive-thru
Blocking through traffic while waiting in a drive-thru line affects everyone trying to use that road or car park. When the drive-thru line spills into traffic lanes, it forces other drivers to navigate around you or get stuck. Finding a parking spot and walking inside might take a few extra minutes, but it keeps traffic flowing for everyone else.
