Key Takeaways
- The courtesy wave, a traditional gesture of friendly acknowledgement between drivers, may be declining on highways but remains strong on back roads between small towns.
- A recent "wave test drive" across regional Victoria and South Australia found that only 33 out of 374 vehicles returned a wave.
- Locals and truck drivers have differing opinions on the future of the wave, with some noticing a decrease in regularity and others seeing it as a persistent part of country culture.
- Bringing back the wave could help shift the road culture and improve road safety awareness.
- A campaign called "Wave to a Truckie" has been started in NSW to promote the wave, and a National Wave Day is planned for next year.
Introduction to the Wave Test Drive
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) recently embarked on a "wave test drive" across regional Victoria and South Australia to investigate the state of the courtesy wave on the country’s highways and back roads. The journey, which spanned over 550 kilometers, involved waving at every passing vehicle to see how many drivers would return the gesture. The results were telling, with only 33 out of 374 vehicles waving back. This small sample size may not be representative of the entire country, but it does suggest that the courtesy wave may be in decline, at least on highways.
The Decline of the Courtesy Wave
The wave test drive revealed that on highways, only 25 out of 362 vehicles returned a wave, while on back roads, 8 out of 12 vehicles waved back. These results are consistent with the observations of some locals and truck drivers, who have noticed a decrease in the regularity of the courtesy wave over time. Speed local Meredith Rowney, for example, noted that the wave is more likely to occur in small country towns where people know each other, rather than in larger centers where anonymity prevails. Ouyen fuel tank driver Paul Dean also observed that the wave is more common between towns, where country people are more likely to know and acknowledge each other.
Differing Opinions on the Future of the Wave
Despite the decline of the courtesy wave on highways, some people are more optimistic about its future. NSW tourist Brad, who was traveling through Truro, said that his 13-year-old son is teaching him different forms of the wave, suggesting that the gesture may be experiencing a resurgence among younger generations. However, interstate truck driver Pete Kelly, who has been in the industry for 40 years, said that the wave has "all but died off" due to people being in too much of a rush and lacking courtesy. Truck driver and road safety advocate Rod Hannifey shared a similar view, noting that the wave has dropped off significantly in recent years.
The Importance of the Wave for Road Safety
The decline of the courtesy wave has implications for road safety, as it can contribute to a culture of aggression and disconnection on the roads. Australia Road Safety Foundation chair and founder Russell White said that bringing back the wave could help shift the road culture, which has become increasingly aggressive and disconnected in recent years. The wave, White argued, can help to reset the narrative and promote a sense of community and connection among road users. By acknowledging each other, drivers can increase awareness and reduce the risk of accidents. Hannifey also noted that the wave can help to promote a sense of mateship and culture among truck drivers, who often spend long hours on the road alone.
Efforts to Revive the Wave
In response to the decline of the courtesy wave, a campaign called "Wave to a Truckie" has been started in NSW to promote the gesture. The campaign aims to encourage drivers to wave at truck drivers as a way of acknowledging their presence on the road and promoting a sense of community. Hannifey is also planning to introduce a National Wave Day next year, which will aim to promote the wave and encourage drivers to participate. By reviving the courtesy wave, these efforts hope to promote a more positive and connected road culture, where drivers feel valued and acknowledged. Ultimately, the courtesy wave may seem like a small gesture, but it can have a significant impact on the way we interact with each other on the roads.