The bewitching hour: New survey from Youi indicates 3 pm is the time to avoid being on the road

More than half of Aussie feel that around 3 pm is the time they are most likely to be stressed on the road and susceptible to accidents but get this. It’s almost always other drivers at fault

That is according to a recent survey conducted on behalf of Youi Insurance

3pm is the hour when it seems everyone is on the road, either for work, clocking off early from work or doing the kids school pickup

There are several key stats in the research that make interesting reading.

By more than half I mean 55% of Australians identify that time of the day as the most stressful and 24% said that they have experienced a road incident at that time in the last 12 months

With so many people on the road at that time (48%) on three or more weekdays per week there are bound to be instances of unsafe driving

Source: Youi Insurance

But it’s not me, it’s you (apparently)

It’s no surprise I guess but with 84% of those surveyed stating that they rate their own driving as safe, only 42% extend that confidence to other drivers on the road.

Whilst those 84% may feel that their driving is safe, 43% of them report feeling too fatigued or mentally drained to fully concentrate around 3pm, while 62% admit to engaging in risky driving behaviours when running late.

I am surprised with all this stress going around that the survey found that only (28%) say they become impatient with other drivers when under time pressure, while 20% change lanes more frequently, 19% accelerate through amber lights and 18% exceed the speed limit.

Source: Youi Insurance

Youi Head of Product – Vehicle and Lifestyle, Marni Jackson, said the research reveals Australians are facing a different kind of rush hour.

“The research shows 3pm isn’t just another busy traffic period. It’s the point in the day where work, family and household responsibilities all converge, creating a unique pressure point for drivers. ….What’s particularly concerning is that respondents reporting higher levels of pressure were more likely to report risky driving behaviours behind the wheel. When people are feeling rushed, fatigued or trying to get to their next commitment on time, they’re more likely to make risky decisions on the road.

So where to from here?

If the survey truly reflects the attitudes of Australian drivers nationally it may be a sobering thought that we may have to accept that we have an inflated sense of our own driving abilities and often take unnecessary risks just to get to our destinations

Youi have made available a handbook entitled “The 3PM Playbook, 2026” and you can grab a copy here. It aims to provide a safety toolkit designed to help reduce the pressure of the mental load, minimise distractions and encourage safer driving habits during one of the busiest periods of the day. 

One of the major contributors is an organisation called Road Sense Australia. Road Sense Australia CEO, Michael Fitzgibbins, said ”recognising pressure before getting behind the wheel is one of the simplest ways Australians can improve road safety. “When work, family and school-pick-up pressures all converge, stress and distraction can quickly follow and influence driver behaviour,” Michael said. “Recognising where your attention is focused before the ignition starts is one of the simplest ways drivers can improve safety. This is the reason why the 3PM Playbook was developed in partnership with Youi, with the goal of keeping Australians safer on the road”

Youi offers additional information on their website.

Maybe you aren’t as good a driver when stressed as you would like to think and not everyone else on the road is a bad driver. Recognising that might make the roads just a little bit safer