Is the courtesy wave necessary?

We’ve all been there, spending what seems like hours battling with stop start traffic, only to have someone cut you off and squeeze their way into the non-existent gap in front of you - only to not give you 'the wave'.

Giving way to fellow road users and not being shown an ounce of appreciation can really grind your gears (pun intended), showing appreciation to your fellow road users with a courtesy or thank-you wave is the sort of road-side behaviour we should all abide by.

In which circumstances should I use a courtesy wave?

The courtesy wave can be used in a variety of situations such as:

• Between cyclists, pedestrians or fellow drivers to show gratitude for courteous behaviour,
• When merging lanes and a fellow driver makes space for you on the road,
• Driving on narrow roads and allowing oncoming traffic to pass,
• When apologising to fellow drivers for incidents such as accidentally cutting off another driver or other self-fault incidences.

Is the courtesy wave still important?

Some may consider the courtesy wave outdated, but we believe that you shouldn’t leave this driving etiquette behind. According to The NRMA's 2021 Courteous Driving Survey, 71 per cent of drivers in NSW and the ACT had experienced road rage in the past year. Of those respondents, one of the biggest things that irritated drivers the most was when other drivers don't give the 'thank you' wave.

A courtesy wave can go a long way

Although the courtesy wave isn’t a legal requirement, utilising it can positively affect the tone of driving and improve the general mood of fellow motorists and road users. A simple courtesy wave can diffuse a potentially tense situation on the road. When drivers acknowledge each other's actions, it can reduce frustration and anger that often leads to road rage.

So consider bringing back the wave if it's not in practice already and use it freely. See the positive mood shift that you can contribute to in our community!

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