A recent survey conducted by The AA has shed light on road safety practices and driving etiquette among Irish motorists. The survey, which gathered responses from over 2,600 drivers, reveals insights into dangerous driving behaviour, frustrations on the road and overall attitudes toward road safety.
Dangerous driving behaviour
The survey found that 97 per cent of respondents view driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs as the most dangerous driving behaviour. Using a mobile phone while driving (96 per cent) and speeding (95 per cent) were also cited as significant concerns. Other risky behaviour, such as running red lights, tailgating, traffic weaving and driving without headlights, were also mentioned by participants.
Frustrating habits
Aggressive driving was the most frustrating behaviour, with 90 per cent of drivers citing it as a top grievance. Poor use of indicators was another common annoyance, reported by 84 per cent of respondents. Many drivers also mentioned misuse of lanes, especially at roundabouts, as a significant issue.
Regarding parking etiquette, 93 per cent of motorists stated they’ve never misused parking spaces, such as parent-and-child or disabled spots. About one third of drivers said they would intervene if they saw inappropriate parking.
Speed limits and mobile phone use
When it comes to obeying speed limits, only 56 per cent of respondents stated that they always adhere to them, while 42 per cent said they follow them most of the time. Jennifer Kilduff, Head of Marketing and PR at The AA (Ireland), noted that while the minority who rarely or never obey speed limits is small, it remains a "worrying reality."
On a positive note, 82 per cent of drivers claimed they never use their mobile phones while driving, indicating a positive impact from ongoing road safety campaigns.
Attitudes towards cyclists and bus lane use
The survey revealed that 94 per cent of motorists treat cyclists as equal road users, which suggests an increasing awareness of cyclist safety. However, rule-breaking on the road remains prevalent, with 38 per cent of respondents frequently observing motorists violating traffic regulations.
The survey also found that 12 per cent of drivers admitted to using a bus lane during restricted hours. Among these, 34 per cent said it was due to an emergency, while 5 per cent were late for work, and 8 per cent cited impatience in traffic as the reason. Many respondents indicated they had used a bus lane unknowingly or by accident.
When asked about their own driving etiquette, 27 per cent of motorists rated themselves as having excellent etiquette, while 66 per cent described theirs as good. Encouragingly, 99 per cent of respondents claimed they always thanked other drivers for giving way.