Here’s Where the Worst Drivers in America Live
The U.S. states with the worst drivers are located in the South and Southwest, with careless driving being the main offender in most accidents.
Recent studies analyzing driving behavior have named
New Mexico
and Texas
as the worst states, while the best drivers were found to be in Minnesota. This survey, conducted by CarInsuranceComparison.com, evaluates how bad each state’s drivers are in relation to fatal car accidents.It also highlights which category of driving makes it so risky to drive in these states.
The categories examined were the general car accident fatality rate, traffic law violations, and deaths from careless driving, drunk driving, and speeding. Each state received a ranking in each area based on how its mortality rate compared to all other states.
Top ten worst drivers by state
Ranking | State | Worst category | Fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled |
|---|---|---|---|
1 (Tied) | New Mexico | Careless driving | 1.53 |
1 (Tied) | Texas | Careless driving | 1.25 |
3 (Tied) | Montana | Death rate | 1.43 |
3 (Tied) | South Carolina | Death rate | 1.73 |
5 | Louisiana | Death rate/careless driving | 1.42 |
6 (tied) | Alabama | Careless driving | 1.30 |
6 (tied) | Hawaii | Speeding | 0.98 |
8 | Arizona | Careless driving | 1.40 |
9 | Oregon | Death rate | 1.37 |
10 | Nevada | Speeding | 1.06 |
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How the worst drivers by state are determined
A not-so-fun fact:
Montana
, Texas, and South Carolina
have ranked in the top 10 states with the worst drivers 10 times since the first survey occurred in 2011. And more than half of all states performed the worst in the speeding
category.On average, the top 10 worst states for driving had a fatality rate of 1.34 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT). The top 10 states had rates ranging from 1.73 in South Carolina to 0.98 in
Hawaii
.Laura Adams, MBA and personal finance expert, says, "Driving when you're distracted, speeding, sleepy, angry, not feeling well, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol could result in severe legal and financial consequences. Getting a DUI or DWI can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees and cause your auto insurance premium to skyrocket for many years. Additionally, your driver's license could be suspended or revoked, depending on your driving history. Poor driving habits are not worth the risk."
What to do if you live in the state with the worst drivers
Staying hyper-aware of your surroundings, following the speed limit, and avoiding risky driving situations are great ways to prevent some of the incidents above.
Not only do you risk injury and damage to your car, but there’s also a chance of incurring steep fines, having points added to your license, and facing a spike in your
car insurance
rates.RECOMMENDED
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