Traffic behaviors that bother us the most

Dangerous overtaking and road users talking on their mobile phones are some of the least liked traffic behaviors among Swedes, according to our latest Sifo survey. Below we list four types of driving habits that bother us the most.

It's important to stay calm in traffic to reduce the risk of accidents. But basically everyone has been in situations where our fellow road users have behaved carelessly. That's why we asked 1,145 Swedes about the behaviors that annoy them the most while driving.

Dangerous overtaking

You've been driving behind the slow truck for several miles and are getting stressed by the queue that's forming behind you. Then you do what you shouldn't do – an unplanned and somewhat dangerous overtaking. You just make it past, but when the headlights flash in the rearview mirror, you realize that the action wasn't liked by the road users behind. Dangerous overtaking is what annoys us the most in traffic. A full seven out of ten (68%) say that this 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 out of ten (62%) report this as very annoying, which is not surprising since it has been illegal since 2018. That's when the law was enacted that prohibits us from using our phones if it requires you to hold them in your hand. That's a good thing, you might think, because according to the Swedish Transport Agency's survey from 2017, 10 percent had been involved in incidents related to mobile phone use.

Ignorant cyclists

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

Go against the red light

Ignoring a red traffic light is, not entirely unsurprisingly, a disruptive traffic behavior. At least, more than 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 drive against a red light, you not only risk angry fellow road users and serious accidents. As everyone knows, it is illegal, which can result in a fine of 3,000 kronor and a suspended driver's license.

The full list of disruptive behaviors:

1. Dangerous overtaking: 68%

2. Road users who talk on the phone/surf while driving: 62%

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

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

5. Pedestrians walking into the lane: 33%

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