Top 10 driver frustrations

Lack of courtesy on the road drives New Zealanders crazy, says AA Insurance

Selfish drivers with a 'me-first' attitude are the most common frustration to New Zealanders on the road, according to a new AA Insurance survey.

And the most frustrating driver behaviour: drivers who use hand-held mobile phones to talk or text while driving, despite the law change.

"Our claims experience shows that many accidents are caused by drivers not paying full attention to the road, particularly when using mobile phones and texting" says Martin Fox, deputy general manager, AA Insurance.

Drivers not paying full attention to the road were rated second in the AA Insurance Driver Frustrations Index, which surveyed 3270 New Zealanders aged 18-65 to create a Top 10 list of frustrating driver behaviours.

"A driver who becomes frustrated or impatient as a result of inattentive driving is more likely to have an accident. These accidents can result in larger insurance claims as frustrated drivers can often drive at a higher speed" says Fox.

The majority of frustrations in the top 10 were inconsiderate actions, including drivers who turn corners from the wrong lanes, drivers who increase their speed at a passing lane so you can't pass and those who slow down after the passing lane, and drivers of slow cars that don't pull over to allow others to pass.

"Drivers need to be more aware on the roads. Even a small accident like rear-ending another car in a carpark could cost you your no-claims bonus or bump up your insurance excess, not to mention that of the other motorist."

Top Ten Driver Frustrations