Top 20 States with the Worst Drivers
73Driving Safety Poll
Is driving still safe?
See results without votingDMV Driver's Exam Failure 2009
A new study by GMAC showed that around 41 million current drivers would fail the standard driver's safety test. This same survey found that the overall knowledge of basic road rules is decreasing.
Take a look at the list of top 20 (or should I say bottom 20?) list of worst drivers broken down by state. Is your state on the list?
20th Worst Driver State: Delaware
Average test score in 2009: 76%
Average test score in 2008: 78.9%
Average test score in 2007: 77.7%
Note: Congratulations Deleware, your score is worse than last year.
19th Worst Driver State: New Hampshire
Average test score in 2009: 75.9%
Average test score in 2008: 77.9%
Average test score in 2007: 76.1%
Note: The study showed that men were more likely to pass the driver's exam than women.
18th Worst Driver State: Ohio
Average test score in 2009: 75.6%
Average test score in 2008: 78.9%
Average test score in 2007: 76.5%
Note: People who took the test in Ohio had the most trouble on questions revolving around yellow lights and safe following distances.
17th Worst Driver State: Kentucky
Average test score in 2009: 75.5%
Average test score in 2008: 78.2%
Average test score in 2007: 76.8%
Note: Almost everyone who took the test knew what a solid line meant. Congratulations, except that your overall test score sucked.
16th Worst Driver State: Pennsylvania
Average test score in 2009: 75.4%
Average test score in 2008: 77.2%
Average test score in 2007: 73.7%
Note: The lowest average test scores came from the Northeast. I guess the rest of the state has just gotten used to dodging Amish buggies.
15th Worst Driver State: Louisiana
Average test score in 2009: 75.3%
Average test score in 2008: 76.4%
Average test score in 2007: 75.4%
Note: Older drivers scored higher on the test.
14th Worst Driver State: Tennessee
Average test score in 2009: 75.0% (tie)
Average test score in 2008: 77.3%
Average test score in 2007: 76.1%
Note: The lowest scores in Tennessee came from younger drivers (18-24). Big surprise there.
13th Worst Driver State: Mississippi
Average test score in 2009: 75.0% (tie)
Average test score in 2008: 75.7%
Average test score in 2007: 76.1%
Note: The highest driving exam scores came from white males over the age of 45.
12th Worst Driver State: South Carolina
Average test score in 2009: 74.8%
Average test score in 2008: 77.1%
Average test score in 2007: 76.3%
Note: Congrats South Carolina, your test scores dropped over 2%.
11th Worst Driver State: Maryland
Average test score in 2009: 74.8%
Average test score in 2008: 76.8%
Average test score in 2007: 77.1%
Note: Almost everyone who took the test (93%) had never heard of "pay as you go" car insurance.
10th Worst Driving State: Connecticut
Average test score in 2009: 74.4%
Average test score in 2008: 77.3%
Average test score in 2007: 75.8%
Note: Way to go...your test scores dropped almost 3% from last year! Did Northeast PA rub off on you or something?
9th Worst Driving State: Florida
Average test score in 2009: 74.1%
Average test score in 2008: 78.6%
Average test score in 2007: 76.3%
Note: Due to the plummeting movement of Florida's scores, it went from rank 26th last year to rank 9th this year.
8th Worst Driving State: District of Columbia (Washington DC)
Average test score in 2009: 75.5%
Average test score in 2008: 78.2%
Average test score in 2007: 76.8%
Note: Ahh the nation's capitol is representing! Sure it's not technically a state (as much as it wants to be), but I can personally testify to the uber-suckiness of it's drivers.
At least it moved up from rank 2 last year...
7th Worst Driving State: Massachusetts
Average test score in 2009: 73.8%
Average test score in 2008: 75%
Average test score in 2007: 72.7%
Note: Some test takers *might* have been from Connecticut. At least that's what someone from Massachusetts will tell you when the read how SUCKY their scores were.
6th Worst Driving State: Rhode Island
Average test score in 2009: 73.6%
Average test score in 2008: 76.9%
Average test score in 2007: 72.8%
Note: It's not looking good for Northeast US...
5th Worst Driving State: Georgia
Average test score in 2009: 72.7%
Average test score in 2008: 75.5%
Average test score in 2007: 74.7%
Note: Wshew, just when we thought the Northeast had it bad, the South came to the rescue.
4th Worst Driving State: California
Average test score in 2009: 72.4%
Average test score in 2008: 77.3%
Average test score in 2007: 77.5%
Note: Congrats, you had a huge drop-off in your test scores. But are we really surprised? California allows for motorcycle lane-splitting and even makes it against the law for a woman to drive while dressed in a housecoat.
3rd Worst Driving State: Hawaii
Average test score in 2009: 72.7%
Average test score in 2008: 75.5%
Average test score in 2007: 74.7%
Note: Oh c'mon let's not be so hard on Hawaii. With all the beautiful scenery and perfect weather who says you also have to pay attention to the road too?
2nd Worst Driving State: New Jersey
Average test score in 2009: 71.5%
Average test score in 2008: 69.9%
Average test score in 2007: 72.7%
Note: Good work New Jersey, last year you were the #1 worst driving state.
1st Worst Driving State: New York
Average test score in 2009: 70.5%
Average test score in 2008: 74%
Average test score in 2007: 71%
Note: Great job keeping Northeast US on the radar for the poorest drivers, New York. This is the second time in five years that you have been the state with the worst drivers in America, and that's no easy feat.
Did your state make the list?
See results without votingNotes about the Driver's Exam
The driver's exam was taken straight from common DMV exam questions and surveyed over 500 licensed drivers from each state and Washington DC. It also asked a number of questions regarding the participants' planned driving habits going forward.
Take the Test Yourself
Before you judge other states or boast that your state wasn't the worst, try taking the driver's exam yourself. Then come back and leave a comment telling everyone how poorly you scored...
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Comments
I am a living miracle! As a child, I lived in New York. We regularly drove to New Hampshire to visit my grandmother. This required us to drive through Connecticut and Massachusetts on the way. That's 4 out of the top 10 states in one trip (8 if you count round trip!).
I now live in CA and can report that it earns its spot near the top (aka bottom) of your list.
And do not get me started on the motorcycle splitting issue. I might just have to write a hub about that!
Thanks, Peter Brown. I am looking forward to learning your true identity! MM
As much as I love living on the South Carolina coast, I must admit that our driving habits leave a bit to be desired. May better driving begin with me!
@manlypoetryman, maybe you could be a catalyst for your state?
@Mighty Mom, it's a miracle you're still alive! And I'm surprised you don't know my alter ego. I'm a fan of yours on both hubnames!
@Drake's Compass, you're in good company. My state didn't make the list (VA), but I'm so close to DC and Maryland that I get to experience their poor driving often. Sorry your state made the list!
That's OK, Peter - having the beach nearby makes up for it!
Good point. Maybe my next hub should be on the worst motorboat operators? haha
Illinois probably would have made the list, but one of our politicians must have paid to get us taken off. ;-)
Hmmm, Blagojevich perchance? Or was that a cut on Obama? haha either way it made me laugh!
I live in ohio and I need to say that there are some awful drivers here. You may sooner want cut your head off and stab yourself 90 times before speeding on this street called Union because it is full of cops and you WILL get caught.
Really? I don't have extensive driving experience in Ohio so you'd know more about it than I, but I felt like the drivers there were actually quite considerate. Clueless at times, but considerate!
from what i've heard New Jersey drivers are aggressive, rude, careless, angry and dangerous and the traffic is as insane as bipolar disorder.
Alan, and that's just in the neighborhoods! Tolls there charge exorbitant amounts, people yell out the windows of their cars, the smog is utterly demoralizing and only increases traffic stress, and the list could go on.
The GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test
Your Score: 100%
Wow, great work Brent! You should try to take the test again, but this time you should text and be on your cell phone while juggling a coffee like most other drivers. It might make for a more realistic test experience.
No but seriously, that's awesome. Which state are you hailing from?
Is your state on the list? Yes my state is on this list. Too bad these stats aren't broken down into gender specific. Now that would be cause for a study! :)
Newsworthy, my state is not on the list...:)
But four neighboring states are :( Better not rub off on us!
Funny to see Kentucky make this list, when one of our metro areas has been ranked in the top 10 for safest drivers in America.
Palmer, that's an interesting point. Thanks for commenting. Did you take the test yourself? It's not as easy as you might think :)
And the worst thing ( for me ) everyone is driving on the wrong side of the road! lol
ha! Well although people drive on the "right" side here, it sure feels like they forget that rule often.
I live in New Jersey and all of my friends tell me I am a bad driver but I don't notice. Obviously if I am a bad driver then they must be too because we are number 2 on the list! Also I have only wrecked 3 cars and I am 26 years old. I have friends that have wrecked 4 or more so apparently I am more considered to be a safe driver.
Also just an FYI...I notice all the time that people who visit NJ from out of state always drive the posted speed limit in the left lane which makes us have to slow down and be late. I have noticed this particularly on the Garden State Parkway and The Turnpike. This drives me crazy! The left lane is for drivers who are in a hurry and need to drive 20 miles above the speed limit...it's called the pass through lane! Although we drive over the speed limit in NJ, we have an understanding with law enforcement! You only get pulled over and ticketed if you are driving more than 20 miles over the limit and if you don't believe me try it the next time you pass a state trooper on the Parkway....also most are dummy police cars anyway with no officer inside.
Good comments Maurice. But seriously- you've wrecked 3 cars by age 26?!? I'm 27 and haven't wrecked any (and I ride a motorcycle too). Good thing you're okay after all those wrecks.
I'm totally with you on the slow-drivers-nuisance in the left lane. That's one of my biggest pet peeves...to the point where I'll sometimes flash my lights to wake them up and get them out of the left lane.
I don't know why Virginia didn't make the list.
wallybclarks, I drive in and around Northern VA and I couldn't agree more, especially after my commute today. If it sprinkles, people freak out, go 10-15 mph slower and still get into accidents.
I think you cannot compare these states to South Africa! Especially joburg...we could show you guys road rage!
Oh I'm sure you've got it worse. From what I hear, the US highway system is the envy of quite a few foreign nations. I guess I shouldn't complain...
I am supprised Oklahoma did not make the list. We have some of the worst drivers. People in the okc metro ride your bumper all the time. You want to see some tailgating, come to oklahoma city,I have never seen so much tailgating. People drive 80 on the interstates, when the spped limit is 65. We have to drive like a nascar driver during rush hour, weaving in and out of traffic with out a turn signal. This next one is for the TEXANS, Running red lights. You have taught us Oklahomans to do it now. We also know nothing aout how to merge. People come on the freeway at 80 and push there way in.
whatever these test say. Rhode Island is by far worse than any state, even Massachusetts, I'm from New York and can understand we're not the nicest drivers but we get where we going in a decent amount of time. Rhode Islander's have no clue what or where their going, and stop signs and red lights are apparently optional here?
As a lifelong NJ resident and someone who has driven in most of the 50 states, NJ is by far, the worst possible state to drive in. Our roads are way outdated. Many of them need to be widened as you'll see long long long long lines of cars waiting because someone in front is making a left turn. The traffic lights? Very unforgiving you will hit more red lights than green. Ironically, I was in California for a few months, in Sacramento, and it was a dream to drive there. People didn't go too slow, the roads were nice and wide, and ppl were very courteous. Once again NJ sucks at everything. I can't wait to get out of this place; some ppl love it here and yes, they are insane.
I moved to NJ to be w my fiance for work 2 months ago and the "logic" that is so expressed (that to any one else outside of NJ is enough to make your mouth drop open) while reading Maurice from NJ's comments...I mean this is how they drive and they think its normal and ok to have 3 accidents by 26 and they just dont understand how their driving behaviors are so dangerous and unsafe and they dont care...leave 15 minutes earlier. Thats the solution to YOUR problem. Pushing people out of the way and flashing lights, etc is dangerous and the reality is that driving the speed limit +- 10 mph is right...20 over is wrong. Its so wrong that its against the law. A law that was set in place for safety. The worst that will happen is having to pay hundreds more per year to drive in this state. Take a chill pill and your driving habits is not other peoples problem. So, if you beep or flash your lights to move us out of the way, just know we dont give a crap what your aggressive lunatic crazy needs are. Be frustrated, have a fit, scream, flip off...in the end Im driving for safety and to follow the law and I really dont care how you feel in your car. Pass by, go away its not the safe drivers problem! Your stressing yourself out and suffering.
manlypoetryman says:
7 months ago
Shocked that Texas didn't make your list!