What Really Annoys Queensland Drivers?

The Ford Driving Skills for Life program conducted research in Queensland, asking 1,000 participants about their opinions on driving habits. The results revealed that 74% of Queenslanders don’t believe their neighbours are good drivers, and 26% believe they are better drivers than those in other states. Common driving turn-offs included not indicating (80%), tailgating (79%), and running red lights (63%). Interestingly, only half of the respondents learned to drive on different surfaces, raising concerns about the adequacy of their training.

James Stewart, the Program Director for Ford Driving Skills for Life in Australia, emphasized the importance of teaching driving skills in various conditions due to the ever-changing road environment. He highlighted the impact of bad driving habits passed from teacher to student and advocated for professional training to break this cycle. The program aims to equip young drivers with essential skills to handle unpredictable road conditions effectively.

ABOVE: Ford Driving Skills for Life program

Other driving etiquette turn-offs identified were not using lights in wet weather (43%), speeding (42%), driving under the speed limit (41%), and not giving a ‘thank you’ wave (34%). Despite these observations, 71% of respondents believed they passed their learner’s permit with necessary driving skills, with 94% claiming they would be better or at the same level as their teachers.

Legendary race driver Dick Johnson advised parents to be patient and calm while teaching their kids to drive. He emphasised the importance of experience over just passing the driving test. Jett Johnson, his grandson and a Super2 racer, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for practice and experience.

In 2024, the Ford Driving Skills for Life program plans to collaborate with local councils and high schools across regional Queensland to provide free hands-on sessions. These sessions will cover hazard recognition, vehicle handling, speed management, space management, and dealing with distractions and impaired driving.

The Ford Driving Skills for Life program, a signature initiative of Ford Philanthropy, has offered free advanced driver education to over one million people worldwide since 2003. They are also calling for expressions of interest from learner and newly licensed drivers to participate in a free public session in Brisbane.

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