Australia's child-like driving behaviour has been exposed by new research from leading dash cam provider Nextbase, with 78 per cent of Australians reporting they've experienced road rage while travelling. This behaviour spikes over the holidays, with 48 per cent of Australians finding driving during the Christmas period more stressful. Almost a quarter (23 per cent) of Australians described the roads as hostile throughout the season and a further 23 per cent crowned the week before Christmas the worst time to travel.
The chaos, tantrums and crashes of childhood play appear to resurface on real roads in December, with one in four Australians admitting they would shout or make a hand gesture at another driver if they did something that frustrated them during a stressful festive journey. Half of Australia would be on the naughty list this Christmas if Santa saw them on the roads, with 41 per cent swearing under their breath in road rage frustration, and 21 per cent sounding their horn in anger.
For those on the receiving end, it’s a joy-less start to the holiday season, with half of Australians (49 per cent) leaving those interactions feeling worried, isolated, intimidated and scared to continue their journey; compared to 23 per cent feeling angry and 16 per cent upset.
Nextbase ambassador and Supercars driver David Reynolds believes Christmas stresses bring out the inner child in all of us.
“Sometimes we see that behind the wheel. There are tantrums and frustration flare ups on the roads more than any other time of year,” he said.
“It's more important than ever to plan your journey, leave early and stay calm when driving. But even if everyone else is still just a kid behind the wheel, you can protect yourself this Christmas with a dash cam.”
Nextbase’s head of territory for Australia & New Zealand Ben Sinica says from toy cars to real ones, not much has changed.
“The tantrums, the crashes, the chaos... they’re all still there,” he said.
“But you can be the one who stays protected. Nextbase helps you stay calm, safe, and in control - even when others drive like kids.”