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CANBERRA - Forget the crocs, snakes, spiders and sharks.
The most lethal critters in Australia are the nation's drivers, according to a survey by insurance group AAMI.
Its latest annual crash index shows most reckon there is nothing wrong with a bit of road rage - yelling, swearing, tailgating, speeding and even drink driving. At least, as long as they are the ones doing it.
Aussies believe it is just not on for others to behave like that.
But more than 90 per cent say that drivers are becoming more aggressive.
"It is ironic that many of the drivers who say their own selfish and aggressive antics are justified say it is inappropriate to mirror the response of an aggressive driver," AAMI national public affairs officer Geoff Hughes said.
More than half of the drivers in the survey said they had "gestured rudely" or yelled at another motorist after doing something dangerous or rude.
Almost six in 10 have sworn or yelled at another driver for doing the same.
Of these, 81 per cent said they thought their actions were justified.
But only 3 per cent said an aggressive response to road rage was appropriate.
Worse than yelling and gesturing, drivers are increasingly tailgating to show other motorists how annoyed they are.
"One driver in five has become so angry with the actions of another motorist they resorted to tailgating them, and it is astounding that more than half of these drivers thought this response was justifiable," Hughes said.
The survey also said the willingness to break the law and endanger others by speeding was indicative of an "epidemic of selfishness" on Australian roads.
Most drivers admit speeding at times - but one in 10 said they sped most of the time. And the survey said many Australians were willing to drink and drive, and deliberately sought back roads to dodge the police.
More than one-third admitted to driving while over the legal limit.
And one in 10 said it was fine to drive after drinking as long as they felt capable of doing so.
Consulting psychologist John Cheetham said antisocial behaviour such as speeding, drink-driving and justifying aggression towards other drivers reflected a belief that "my needs are more important than yours".
"People are locked in their own little worlds and servicing their own needs," he said. "They have lost a sense of social responsibility, putting other road users at risk purely out of their own selfishness.
"These drivers need to get the message that it is not 'all about me', but about 'all of us'. Clearly, there are significant numbers of drivers who have yet to learn this lesson."
