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South Australian drivers the worst in the world

SA Police Commisioner says South Australian drivers are "right up there with the worst" in the world.

South Australian drivers have been branded among the worse in the world by the state's top cop.

Police Commissioner Gary Burns fired a salvo at the state's motorists by claiming they were rude and impatient. His comments were made in response to an article in The Advertiser this week revealing more than 3200 drivers had been caught by police last year for the dangerous practice of tailgating.

The Commissioner said tailgating was "a pretty good example of impatient drivers''.

"I've driven in the US, UK, Europe (and) the rest of Australia and I think South Australia is right up there with the worst, particularly when it comes to being impatient (and) lacking in courtesy," Mr Burns said. "I think SA drivers really need to wake up to themselves" and become "far more polite and courteous".

Mr Burns' comments were made when he was asked during a regular guest appearance on ABC radio about the tailgating story.

NUMBER OF FINES ISSUED 2014

Using hand held mobile while driving - 12,143
Driving wrong way down a one-way street - 187
Failing to keep left (unless overtaking) - 177
Driving with an animal/ passenger on lap - 132
Fail to keep safe distance while overtaking - 68
Entering a blocked intersection - 68
Failing to give way when merging - 43
Failure to give way to emergency/police vehicle - 39
Leading an animal while driving vehicle/riding bike - 10
Increasing speed while being overtaken - 2
Source SA Police expiation notice data