Says something about Irish drivers then <g>.

In Queensland, you have to do a test. I think you've got 3 months to change over to an Oz license but it is just a tick the right answers test.
The roads are more open here but watch out for those Mad Max ute drivers. I personally find drivers more aggressive but eventually you don't notice them and you adopt your own driving style.
The cops are far less courteous than the British police.

Maybe it's a west-coast thing. The drivers here are absolutely shocking, with no idea of spacial awareness, road safety and certainly no courtesy.

The number of deaths on roads over here is terrifying. I used to ride a motorbike in rush-hour traffic back in the UK, but am too scared to get one here.

In just the past 2 days there have been 5 deaths on the roads.

No you don't.

You may have had to at one time but not now.

G

Not any more. No tests in any State now for us.

There are different areas in Australia, and these may have different types of driving. That poster may live in an area where there are loads of courteous drivers, and so, what they say is not necessarily a load of 'tosh' as you put it.

My own area used to be much better than it is now, but in the last 6 years the driving standard has really gone downhill.
And at the same time, the numbers of new arrivals to QLD has increased considerably.

Why not do what I've done then? re-train to become a Driving Instructor and show them how its done properly and no...I'm not joking.

I'm just getting up and runing with my driving school so IF ANYONE NEEDS DRIVING LESSONS THEN PLEASE SEND ME A PERSONAL MESSAGE, based in Connolly, northern PERTH. Web site will be up and running in a week or so.

Personally, I don't think the driving here is too bad it's just the P platers that seem to be the worst. Its a shame really as I think the graduated licence scheme is a good idea; they just need to limit P platers to 1.6 litre engines and smaller. That way, they wouldn't go mad in a 3litre ute!!

It's funny you say that. It's something I've seriously considered doing.

What's the process to become an instructor?

I agree about the merging, very courteous, none of the 2 inches from the car in front so you can't get in nonsense.
You've never driven in Paris then?

OMG, I have never found myself so crabbit behind the wheel of a car as I have since I got here!!! Totally agree about the not leaving a safe breaking distance gap, everyone here thinks its a space for them to nip into causing you to have to break aaaaargghhh . Can't quite get over how I've found the majority of people here to be friendly, helpful and courteous in general.....until you put them behind the wheel of a car. No idea how to merge from a slip road, do not get the idea of courtesy i.e. flashing to let someone out etc, drives me mad. Funny cos the other half was always a bit crabbit behind the wheel in the UK and he has just taken it in his stride since he got here.....just as well probably otherwise he would probably have a blinkin heart attack

Agree driving standards in Oz are crap and worse than UK. The courtesy of letting people out though it not driven by courtesy but acceptance that people will force there way in. Courtesy in my mind is people flashing you to let you in - which does not happen here. It's more you just indicate and move.

I do think people in Aus use their indicators more though, which is good although they do seem to assume that this gives them the right to move.

As for speed not being an issue, as one poster said, to me that's exactly the issue. Sitting in three lanes with everyone determined to stick at 100kph and no lane discipline means it gets frustrating and stupid with everyone ending up driving too close as no-one is doing anything. I'd much rather drive 10-20kph over the limit and get past people than be a sheep and follow everyone at speeds that are perfectly safe anyway.

But like driving in other countries, you have to adapt to local standards.

Nor should it, it is wrong and states this in the Highway code.

http://www.decisiondrivinguk.com/flashingheadlights.htm

I find it funny that on a normal country road, when Aussie drivers overtake, they indicate right, then indicate left to pull in front, as if they are not going to pull in and stay in the right lane and meet something head-on if they don't indicate!

I disagree with those who say the driving standards are bad here, they are not bad they are absolutely bloody appalling - Aussies just don't know to drive safely!

Must admit I have not really noticed it to be worse but I believe that the accident rate is higher here so you may well be correct.
They don't like a spot of rain though!

A classic example of nonsense - everyone does it and it helps enormously, so just because the Highway code says it, we should not do it?

I'm sticking with common sense and the 'norm' - and will keep flashing when relevant...