Published | 19 May 2026
New research shows 70 per cent of Tasmanians surveyed agreed young drivers are often subjected to unnecessary pressure or aggressive behaviour from other motorists.
That statistic is supported by the experience of RACT driver trainers who say tailgating, aggressive overtaking and cutting learner drivers off in traffic are all regular occurrences that make the already stressful experience or learning to drive even harder.
As part of National Road Safety Week (11–18 May), RACT is asking all Tasmanians to play their part in creating a safer, more supportive environment for young drivers and their supervisors.
Group CEO Mark Mugnaioni said community consultation through the Youth Road Safety Project had revealed the behaviour of other drivers was one of the biggest challenges facing learners and their supervisors.
“The young Tasmanians we spoke with said that this type of behaviour impacted their confidence while their mentors’ said aggression towards them made a challenging situation more stressful.
“This is not a minor issue - stress undermines confidence, and reduced confidence is a safety risk.
“When you tailgate, beep or overtake aggressively, you’re adding pressure to someone who is still developing critical driving skills, often alongside a parent or supervisor who is also feeling that pressure.”
Just four per cent of drivers admitted to being impatient around learners and provisional drivers, which was inconsistent with the direct experience of young people and the behaviours observed by RACT driver trainers like Kendan Lovell.
“I am out there every day alongside learner drivers and sadly it is a regular experience for drivers to tailgate and behave impatiently and aggressively,” Mr Lovell said.
“The big thing for me is to leave distance between yourself and the car in front.
“It is also common to view a slow car in front as just an object in your way, but imagine that it is your son, daughter or loved one behind the wheel.”
This observation is also being made by the supervisors and parents RACT has been speaking with over the past 8 months, with many saying that the behaviour of other road users causing unnecessary stress.
Mr Mugnaioni said young people continued to be overrepresented in road trauma, which demanded a unified community approach.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and we all have a role to play in supporting young people on their journey to becoming safe, confident drivers,” Mr Mugnaioni said.
“People aged 17 to 29 account for the highest proportion of road fatalities, averaging 9.2 deaths per year over the past five years. Last year alone, that rose to 13.
“Behind every number is a family, friends and a community that is deeply affected."
We can all help by creating a calm, supportive environment was critical to building confidence and safer driving behaviours.
“Confidence grows in a low-stress environment, and the way a supervisor responds in the moment shapes how a learner responds in the future,” he said.
RACT is delivering the Youth Road Safety Project in partnership with the Tasmanian Government an $8 million, five-year program designed to improve safety outcomes for young road users through a coordinated approach across schools, families and communities.
RACT is urging drivers to:
Be patient around learner and provisional drivers
Avoid tailgating, honking or aggressive overtaking
Give young drivers the time and space to make decisions
Remember what it was like to learn to drive