Traffic behaviors that bother us the most

Dangerous overtaking and road users talking on mobile phones are some of the Swedes' least popular traffic behaviours. This is shown by our latest Sifo survey. Below we list four types of driving habits that bother us the most.

It is important to maintain calm in traffic to reduce the risk of accidents. But basically everyone has ended up in situations where our fellow road users behaved carelessly. That's why we asked 1145 Swedes about behaviors they are most annoyed by when driving.

Dangerous overtaking

You've been driving behind the slow truck for miles and are stressed out by the queue that's forming behind you. Then you do what you shouldn't do – an unplanned and slightly dangerous overtaking. You just make it past, but when the headlights flash in the rearview mirror, you understand that the action was not liked by the road users behind. Dangerous overtaking is what bothers us the most in traffic. As many as seven out of ten (68%) state that the traffic act is the worst. More women (76%) are annoyed by this than men (60%).

Talking on the cell phone while driving

Another thing that bothers us is when we see other drivers using their phones in traffic. Just over six in ten (62%) state this as very annoying, which is not so surprising since it is illegal since 2018. Then the law was established that prohibits us from using the phone if it requires you to hold it in your hand. This is good, one might think, because according to the Swedish Transport Agency's survey from 2017, 10 percent had been involved in incidents in connection with mobile phone use.

Ignorant cyclists

The anger towards cyclists who do not follow the traffic rules is also great. About half (49%) answer that cyclists' ignorance of traffic rules bothers them the most. Here, the oldest age group stands out. More than half (56%) of the elderly do not appreciate the behavior compared to 42 percent of middle-aged people. If cyclists feel the same anger towards ignorant motorists, however, we dare not comment!

Go towards red

Ignoring a red traffic light is, not entirely unheard of, disruptive traffic behaviour. At least two out of five (42%) respondents think so. Here, too, the oldest age group stands out. The majority (52%) of the elderly are bothered, while the irritation is not as widespread among younger (36%) and middle-aged (38%) people. If you run a red light, you not only risk angry fellow road users and serious accidents. It is, as everyone knows, illegal, which can result in a fine of SEK 3,000 and a suspended driver's license.

The full list of disruptive behaviors:

1. Dangerous overtaking: 68%

2. Road users talking on the phone/mobile surfing while driving: 62%

3. Cyclists who do not follow traffic rules: 49%

4. Road users who do not respect red lights: 42%

5. Pedestrians entering the lane: 33%

6. Road users who do not stop at pedestrian crossings: 33%