DRIVING with no headlights?

It should be something we do without question, but it is one of the five basic road rules drivers in our region are failing to obey.

Data from the Department of Main Roads revealed a raft of fundamental rules drivers were caught for between 1 November 2016 and 31 October 2017.

In the Southern police region, failing to stop at a stop sign was one of the leading traffic offences with 2037 people caught in the space of a year.

Warwick driving instructor and formers police officer Andrew Gale said faults like these came down to driver arrogance and ignorance.

"I think people form their own opinion and can justify to themselves that it's not worthy of having to do this or that,” he said.

"But these rules are tried and tested and they are there for a reason, whether you think it is important or not.”

RACQ spokesperson Lauren Ritchie said drivers were throwing their money away on unnecessary fines.

"It should be one of the easiest rules to understand but last year in the southern police region alone we saw more than 2000 drivers fined for not stopping at a stop sign,” Ms Ritchie said.

"Stop signs mean you must come to a fully controlled stop behind the line before you take off again. It's not rocket science.”

Ms Ritchie said these laws may seem trivial to some drivers, but they were designed to make it safer for everyone on the road.

"It's up to every driver to brush up on the road rules before they get behind the wheel, and to ensure they follow them - ignoring these laws is risking your life and the lives of others.”

Ignored road rules in the southern police region - November 1, 2016 to October 31, 2017:

Fail to stop at a stop sign at an intersection: 2037

Disobey 'No Right Turn' sign: 647

Follow another vehicle too closely: 466

Driving at night or in reduced visibility without lights on: 201

Driving a car with L plates when you are not a Learner or Driver Trainer: 10.