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The Best and Worst Drivers by State

Delve into the driving behavior and statistics to uncover which states have the best and worst drivers. Gain valuable insights on road safety, accident rates, and traffic violations. Company is your trusted resource for comprehensive insurance information. Understand the driving landscape and make informed decisions to stay safe on the road.

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Tonya Sisler

Insurance Content Team Lead

Tonya Sisler has been a technical insurance writer for over five years. She uses her extensive insurance and finance knowledge to write informative articles that answer readers' top questions. Her mission is to provide readers with timely, accurate information that allows them to determine their insurance needs and choose the best coverage. Tonya currently leads a team of 10 insurance copywrite...

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Tonya Sisler
Jimmy McMillan

Licensed Insurance Agent

Jimmy McMillan is an entrepreneur and the founder of HeartLifeInsurance.com, an independent life insurance brokerage. His company specializes in life insurance for people with heart problems. He knows personally how difficult it is to secure health and life insurance after a heart attack. Jimmy is a licensed insurance agent from coast to coast who has been featured on ValientCEO and the podcast...

Reviewed by
Jimmy McMillan

Updated October 2024

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the best and worst drivers by state. In this article, we explore driving behavior, statistics, and road safety to uncover which states have the most skilled and cautious drivers, as well as those with room for improvement.

best and worst drivers by state

Gain valuable insights into accident rates, traffic violations, and other factors that contribute to driver performance. We discuss strategies for promoting safer driving habits and offer tips for staying safe on the road. To ensure you have the right coverage to protect yourself and others, enter your ZIP code now and compare rates from the best insurance providers in your area.

Take advantage of the chance to find dependable coverage at the best prices. Begin comparing now and drive with assurance, knowing you have the optimal insurance for both the best and worst car insurance, best and worst driving states, and best and worst states to drive in.

Top 10 States With the Worst Drivers 

Each year, states are ranked based on data including fatalities, DUI arrests, citations, and speeding tickets to identify the worst drivers per state. The following list highlights states with the worst drivers, with these states spanning across the entire country. So, which state has the worst drivers?

  1. Mississippi. Mississippi is considered the state with the worst drivers. It has the second-highest number of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles and the second-lowest rate of insured drivers at 76.3%.
  2. Nevada. Nevada ranks among the states with the worst drivers, particularly due to its high DUI rates. About six out of 1,000 drivers have been arrested for DUI charges.
  3. Tennessee. With only 80% of drivers insured and a rate of three DUI arrests per 1,000 drivers, Tennessee is another state with terrible drivers.
  4. Florida. Florida has the lowest rate of insured drivers at 73.3% and ranks 11th in the highest number of vehicle-related fatalities, marking it as one of the states with worst drivers.
  5. California. California has approximately four DUI arrests per 1,000 drivers, placing it at number five among America’s worst drivers by state.
  6. Arizona. Arizona is listed among the most dangerous states to drive in due to its high rate of vehicle-related fatalities, ranking third in driving-related deaths.
  7. Texas. Tied with South Carolina, Texas has four DUI arrests per 1,000 drivers, highlighting it as a state with some of America’s worst drivers.
  8. South Carolina. South Carolina ties with Texas and is noted for having the highest number of driving-related fatalities, making it one of the most dangerous driving states.
  9. New Mexico. Ranking ninth, New Mexico has over one-fifth of its drivers uninsured, making it one of the states with worst drivers.
  10. Alaska. Alaska is tenth on the list of America’s worst drivers by state, with the sixth-highest rate of driving-related fatalities.

In addition to this top 10 list of states with worst drivers, there is another list featuring the states with the most dangerous drivers by state, where some states appear on both lists:

  1. Wisconsin
  2. Tennessee
  3. New Jersey
  4. Idaho
  5. Utah
  6. Alaska
  7. California
  8. Virginia
  9. North Dakota
  10. Iowa

While not everyone in these states with the worst drivers is a terrible driver, it’s important to stay cautious on the road. Be aware of America’s worst drivers and the most dangerous driving states to ensure your safety.

When considering the most aggressive drivers by state and the most dangerous cities to drive in, it’s clear that America’s worst drivers are often concentrated in specific areas. The state with the worst drivers frequently sees higher instances of car crashes and significant car accident deaths per year. These worst driving states highlight regions where driving can be particularly hazardous, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and caution on the road.

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Top 10 States With the Best Drivers 

According to WCIA, data was compiled from two million car insurance quotes from drivers in America to create a list of the states with the best drivers. By evaluating accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and citations—the same criteria used for the worst drivers list—the states with the best drivers in the US are identified as follows:

  1. New Hampshire
  2. West Virginia
  3. Oklahoma
  4. Kentucky
  5. Illinois
  6. Delaware
  7. Louisiana
  8. Michigan
  9. Arizona
  10. Connecticut

Living in a state with the best drivers might result in lower car insurance rates, as insurance companies consider these factors when determining premiums. For those wondering which state has the best drivers, this list showcases the safest drivers and the safest driving states.

These states represent the safest states to drive in, highlighting the best drivers in the US by state. Being among the safest states for driving, residents in these areas benefit from having some of the best drivers in USA, contributing to safer roads and potentially lower insurance costs.

FAQ: Traffic and Driving Statistics

Welcome to our comprehensive FAQ section on traffic and driving statistics across the United States. Here, we answer common questions about car accidents, traffic incidents, and driving behaviors by state and city. Whether you’re curious about which states have the best drivers or the most aggressive ones, we’ve got you covered.

State With the Most Car Accidents

The state with the most car accidents is typically California, due to its large population and extensive road network.

State With the Most Traffic Accidents

The state with the most traffic accidents often varies year by year, but California and Texas frequently top the list.

Top 10 Best Drivers by State

The top 10 states with the best drivers are often determined by looking at factors such as the number of accidents, traffic citations, DUI arrests, and insurance rates. States that frequently appear on this list include Minnesota, Vermont, and Maine.

Top 10 Cities With the Most Car Accidents

The top 10 cities with the most car accidents often include large metropolitan areas with heavy traffic. Cities like Los Angeles, Houston, and New York City are often on this list.

Top 10 Worst Drivers by City

The top 10 cities with the worst drivers can be identified based on high rates of accidents, traffic violations, and DUI incidents. Cities such as Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Boston often rank high on these lists.

Top 10 Worst Driving States

The top 10 worst driving states are typically determined by accident rates, fatalities, DUIs, and other traffic-related issues. States like Louisiana, Texas, and South Carolina often rank poorly.

We hope this FAQ section has provided you with valuable insights into traffic and driving conditions across different states and cities. Safe driving!

What insurance companies are the best for bad drivers? 

There are two recommended insurance companies that are more supportive towards those drivers who are not the best. Geico is recommended for those who have speeding and reckless driving on their records. Not only does Geico provide car insurance, but they also provide ATV, Recreational Vehicle (RV), and Boat insurance. 

Progressive is recommended for those who have a history of accidents or have DUI arrests on their record. Progressive provides bundle deals to help their clients save more money. This company offers combinations to include auto and condo, auto and renters, and auto and home. They also ensure ATVs, snowmobiles. motorcycles, boats, and classic cars. 

Both Progressive and Geico have cheaper rates than the annual average costs of other insurance companies. 

Average Rates for Drivers Without A Clean Record

ViolationCheapest InsurerAnnual Cost of the Cheaper InsurerAverage Annual CostSavings
SpeedingGeico$2,186$2,74820%
Run a stop signGeico$2,188$2,75821%
RacingGeico$2,265$2,84820%
Reckless drivingGeico$2,265$2,84820%
Careless drivingGeico$2,188$2,93325%
DUIProgressive$2,038$3,39040%
At-Fault AccidentProgressive$2,428$3,52631%

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Now that you know the best and worst drivers by state, make sure you are aligning yourself with the insurance company that is right for you. Enter your ZIP code and get a free quote today. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the criteria used to rank the best and worst drivers by state?

The criteria used to rank the best and worst drivers by state include fatalities, driving under the influence (DUI) arrests, citations, and speeding tickets.

What is the state with the worst drivers?

According to the data, Mississippi has the worst drivers.

Geico is recommended for those who have speeding and reckless driving on their records, while Progressive is recommended for those who have a history of accidents or have DUI arrests on their record.

What is the list of the top 10 states with the worst drivers?

The top 10 states with the worst drivers, based on the aforementioned criteria, are Mississippi, Nevada, Tennessee, Florida, California, Arizona, Texas, South Carolina, New Mexico, and Alaska.

What insurance companies provide bundle deals for their clients?

Progressive provides bundle deals to include auto and condo, auto and renters, and auto and home.

Do the insurance companies mentioned have cheaper rates than others?

Yes, both Progressive and Geico have cheaper rates than the annual average costs of other insurance companies.

Geico and Progressive are the recommended insurance companies for bad drivers.

Does the list of the best and worst drivers by state change every year?

Yes, the list of the best and worst drivers by state changes every year based on the latest data.

What are the best insurance companies for bad drivers?

If you’re classified as a bad driver or have a less-than-ideal driving record, there are insurance companies specialized in providing coverage tailored to your needs. Look for insurers recognized for offering the best insurance for bad drivers, accommodating those with challenging driving histories. These companies excel in providing competitive rates and comprehensive coverage, ensuring you find the best insurance for bad driving record situations.

Which country has the best drivers?

Determining which country has the best drivers is subjective and can vary based on different criteria such as road safety statistics, adherence to traffic laws, and driver behavior. Countries often cited for having strong road safety records include Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.

More FAQs

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