Australia’s reputation for friendliness isn’t just limited to its sunny beaches and laid-back barbecues. A recent study revealed that Australian drivers are also being recognised for their friendly nature on the road.
Australian drivers have been rated as the second friendliest in the world, narrowly missing out on the top spot to the courteous motorists of the United Kingdom.
Auto Trader’s study, which surveyed 3,200 participants across 16 countries, sought to measure the politeness, cooperation, and kindness exhibited by drivers in various common road scenarios. Participants were also assessed on ‘agreeableness’ using questions from the respected ‘Big 5 Personality Test’.
Assessed in this test’s psychological framework are traits across five domains: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
‘Agreeableness is particularly relevant in evaluating friendliness and cooperative behaviour. It measures characteristics such as trust, altruism, kindness, and compassion—traits that naturally extend to how people behave behind the wheel,’ stated Auto Trader in their study.
These metrics were then combined to create an overall ‘friendly driving score’, placing Australia with a commendable 35.02 out of 51 points, just a hair’s breadth away from the UK’s leading score of 35.40.
According to the study, Australia got the second top score for ‘showcasing their very friendly nature on the roads’ and exhibiting ‘patience and tolerance, even during rush hour.’
Australia’s picturesque landscapes also play a part. With vast, well-maintained highways connecting the country’s most beloved destinations, road trips are a national pastime. The clear signage and generally low congestion outside the urban sprawls likely contribute to a less stressful driving experience, allowing Australians to maintain their cool in situations where drivers in other countries might lose their temper.
The country’s Kiwi cousins across the Tasman Sea aren’t far behind, with New Zealand claiming the third spot on the list of the world’s most considerate drivers.
Here’s a quick rundown of the world’s 10 friendliest drivers, according to the study:
1. United Kingdom
2. Australia
3. New Zealand
4. USA
5. Portugal
6. Canada
7. France
8. Netherlands
9. Spain
10. Ireland
It’s heartening to see Australia rank so highly on the global stage for something like driving etiquette. It’s a reminder that even in the hustle and bustle of daily life, taking a moment to be considerate on the road can make a world of difference—not just for other drivers, but for the overall vibe of communities.
So, the next time you’re out and about, whether you’re navigating the urban jungle or cruising along a coastal highway, remember that a little patience and a friendly wave can go a long way. And who knows, with a bit more effort, maybe next time Australia will nab the number one spot.
We’d love to hear from you, our YourLifeChoices readers. Have you experienced the driving culture in any of these top-rated countries? Share your road stories and let us know if you think Australia deserves its silver medal in driving friendliness.
Also read: Australia named as one of the top global havens for expats!
Mmmmm, seems the worlds second most friendliest drivers certainly don’t live in my area of Australia!!
I totally agree, I live in Western Australia, and I have stopped driving, partly because I have lost my driving confidence, and partly due to bad, impatient drivers who change lanes frequently to get one car ahead, they continuously travel 10-30Km above the speed limits. Some of the worst come from every nationality, but a lot are immigrants. The Australian government should ensure that people should be taught how to drive, not just how to pass their test. I took my wife to the UK in 2010, and it was a pleasure to drive there. Even in busy traffic other drivers had more patience, they would let you in when the traffic was heavy.
I wonder if they surveyed truck drivers on the East coast.
In my experience, drivers in Bangkok were far more courteous than those in Australia. Driving on a 6 lane highway that was bumper to bumper in Bangkok, as soon as a driver indicated they wanted to change lanes, all the other drivers just automatically slowed and let them in. Try that in Australia!!
I don’t know how this result was obtained unless only people over 45 were assessed. Courtesy among younger drivers is sadly lacking when it comes to things like indicating the driver’s intention to turning left on roundabouts which were originally introduced to maintain traffic flow, merging, turning on parking lights in wet weather and basic car maintenance. So many times I have come across cars with no brake lights that recently I was following a car into a local car park, not only did they have no brake lights but didn’t bother to show anyone their intention to park. I waited until the driver alighted from their car to inform them they had no brake lights only to be sworn at for trying to help them and others avoid an accident with them.