Curious to know which states are home to the worst drivers in America? From tailgating and texting while driving to running stop signs, some places seem to have mastered the art of bad driving.
To uncover the truth, LendingTree analyzed insurance data over a 12-month period from late 2023 to late 2024. They evaluated driving incidents per 1,000 drivers in every state, looking at key factors like DUIs, accidents, speeding violations, and other citations.
The result? A comprehensive ranking of the states where hitting the road might feel like a risky adventure. Where is your state on the list?
Massachusetts
Massachusetts takes the crown for the worst drivers with a staggering 61.1 incidents per 1,000 drivers. The state also leads in accident rates at 44.4 per 1,000, the highest in the nation. If you’re driving through the Bay State, watch out for fender benders.
On the bright side, Massachusetts has a relatively low rate of speeding-related incidents, tying for the fifth-lowest at just 1.3 per 1,000 drivers. But overall, it’s clear that driving here requires some serious vigilance.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island follows closely with 60.6 incidents per 1,000 drivers. Its accident rate is tied with California at 39.7, making it one of the most dangerous states for crashes.
DUI rates in Rhode Island are also concerning, sitting at 1.9 per 1,000 drivers. However, the Ocean State fares better with speeding-related incidents, tying with Hawaii at a lower rate of 2.4.
California
California’s combination of heavy traffic and risky drivers lands it third on the list, with 55.0 incidents per 1,000 drivers. Its accident rate ties Rhode Island at 39.7, and its DUI rate is the second-highest in the nation at 3.5 per 1,000 drivers.
Surprisingly, California has one of the lowest rates for speeding-related incidents, just 1.2 per 1,000 drivers. Still, the Golden State’s roads can be chaotic.
District of Columbia
The District of Columbia has 54.6 incidents per 1,000 drivers and leads the country in DUIs with a rate of 3.6. Its accident rate is also high, ranking fourth at 31.9 per 1,000 drivers. Despite these statistics, D.C.’s dense urban setting and reliance on public transportation may help keep some risks at bay.
On the upside, D.C. drivers rarely speed, with the lowest rate of speeding-related incidents at just 0.8 per 1,000. This unique combination of high DUIs and low speeding underscores the need for targeted safety measures, particularly around impaired driving.
New Jersey
New Jersey rounds out the top five with 45.8 incidents per 1,000 drivers. It’s fifth in both accident and DUI rates, with 30.4 and 2.5 per 1,000 drivers, respectively. The densely populated state often grapples with congested roads and high traffic volumes, which likely contribute to its elevated accident rate.
Like Massachusetts, New Jersey has a low speeding-related incident rate at 1.3. Still, traffic here can be aggressive and unpredictable, creating a challenging driving environment for residents and visitors alike.
North Carolina
North Carolina has 39.6 incidents per 1,000 drivers, placing it sixth. Its DUI rate of 2.9 ranks third in the nation, highlighting a significant problem with impaired driving. The combination of rural highways and bustling urban centers may exacerbate these issues, demanding a multifaceted approach to road safety.
While its accident and speeding-related incident rates are more moderate, the state’s overall driving record leaves room for improvement. Stricter enforcement of DUI laws and enhanced public awareness campaigns could help address the risks.
Washington
Washington drivers see 37.4 incidents per 1,000, earning them the seventh spot. With a DUI rate of 1.5 and a speeding rate of 5.7, the Evergreen State struggles with reckless behaviors on the road. These issues are particularly notable given the state’s mix of scenic highways and high-density urban areas.
Its accident rate, however, is lower at 19.7 per 1,000, showing a mixed bag of driving safety. With better enforcement and public education, Washington could address its risk factors and make strides toward safer roads.
Maryland
Maryland’s 34.9 incidents per 1,000 drivers land it in eighth place. The state’s DUI rate is relatively low at 1.4, but its accident rate of 24.3 still poses concerns. The state’s proximity to D.C. and its high commuter traffic likely contribute to its accident statistics.
Maryland drivers seem to have a moderate issue with speeding, contributing to the overall risk on its roads. A focus on defensive driving education and stricter traffic law enforcement could help mitigate these issues.
North Dakota
North Dakota has 34.7 incidents per 1,000 drivers and leads the nation in speeding-related incidents at 8.1 per 1,000. If you’re on the roads here, be prepared for fast-moving traffic, especially on long, open stretches of rural highways.
Its DUI rate of 2.2 is also among the higher ones, making North Dakota a challenging place for safe driving. Addressing these issues through enhanced law enforcement and public education campaigns could help reduce risks.
Utah
Utah sees 32.1 incidents per 1,000 drivers. Speeding is a significant issue here, with 6.2 incidents per 1,000, the third-highest in the nation. Utah’s scenic highways and expansive road networks likely contribute to these statistics as drivers often exceed speed limits on open roads.
On the plus side, Utah has a low accident rate of 17.1, indicating that not all speeding leads to crashes. However, efforts to curb speeding through stricter enforcement could further improve road safety.
Idaho
Idaho drivers experience 31.2 incidents per 1,000. Speeding is a common problem, with a rate of 6.1 incidents per 1,000 drivers. The state’s rural highways and vast open spaces may encourage drivers to push speed limits, increasing risks for all road users.
Though accidents are less frequent at 15.7 per 1,000, the state’s overall driving habits still need improvement. Targeted safety campaigns focusing on speeding and distracted driving could make a significant difference.
Nebraska
Nebraska has 29.5 incidents per 1,000 drivers. Speeding is a notable concern, with a rate of 4.7 per 1,000, slightly above average. The state’s flat terrain and long stretches of rural roads may contribute to this issue as drivers are tempted to accelerate.
The Cornhusker State’s DUI rate of 2.3 also places it among the higher ranks for impaired driving. Addressing these issues through community initiatives and increased traffic law enforcement could lead to safer roads.
Tennessee
Tennessee drivers face challenges with a significant number of incidents, coming in at 29.3 per 1,000 drivers. The state’s DUI rate sits at 2.0 per 1,000 drivers, tying it with Massachusetts for the 11th-highest.
While its accident rate of 19.3 per 1,000 drivers is relatively moderate compared to some other states, it still reflects room for improvement. Tennessee’s highways and urban areas contribute significantly to these statistics, making road safety a pressing concern.
On the brighter side, Tennessee doesn’t feature prominently in the top rankings for speeding-related incidents, which suggests that drivers may generally adhere to speed limits. However, efforts to combat impaired driving and improve safety awareness remain critical for reducing the state’s overall incident rate and creating safer roads for all.
Iowa
Iowa’s incident rate of 29.2 per 1,000 drivers places it 14th on this list. Notably, the state ranks second in speeding-related incidents, with 7.3 per 1,000 drivers. This figure highlights a key area for improvement, as excessive speeding is often a major contributor to accidents. Despite this, Iowa’s accident rate of 15.7 per 1,000 drivers keeps it out of the worst rankings for crashes.
With rural roads and open highways making up much of Iowa’s landscape, speeding is a common issue. The state’s relatively low DUI rate of 2.3 per 1,000 drivers shows some restraint in impaired driving, but tackling speeding could lead to significantly safer driving conditions statewide.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin, with 28.8 incidents per 1,000 drivers, faces notable challenges, especially when it comes to speeding. The state ranks fifth in speeding-related incidents, at 5.9 per 1,000 drivers. Additionally, Wisconsin’s DUI rate of 1.9 per 1,000 drivers ties with Rhode Island, underscoring concerns about impaired driving.
Though Wisconsin’s accident rate is relatively low compared to other states, the combined impact of speeding and alcohol-related incidents presents significant risks on its roads. Educational campaigns and stricter enforcement of DUI and speeding laws could help Wisconsin shed its spot among the worst-driving states.
Indiana
Indiana drivers rack up 28.3 incidents per 1,000 drivers, tying with Kansas for this spot. The state’s accident rate of 17.3 per 1,000 drivers places it in the middle of the pack, but its DUI rate of 2.1 per 1,000 drivers indicates an ongoing issue with impaired driving.
Speeding-related incidents in Indiana, at 3.2 per 1,000 drivers, are not among the highest but still contribute to the state’s overall safety concerns. Efforts to improve road safety could focus on reducing impaired driving and encouraging more cautious driving behaviors in both rural and urban areas.
Kansas
Kansas also sees 28.3 incidents per 1,000 drivers, tying with Indiana. A significant factor for Kansas is its speeding-related incident rate of 5.7 per 1,000 drivers, ranking sixth nationwide. This makes speeding one of the top concerns for road safety in the state.
On the other hand, Kansas doesn’t rank as poorly in accidents or DUIs compared to some other states. Still, addressing speeding through education and enforcement could make Kansas roads safer and help lower its incident rate overall.
Oregon
Oregon drivers contribute to the state’s 27.7 incidents per 1,000 drivers, placing it 18th. Its accident rate of 15.2 per 1,000 drivers is relatively low compared to states like Massachusetts or California. However, Oregon’s speeding-related incident rate of 4.8 per 1,000 drivers indicates a need for stricter speed limit enforcement.
While Oregon’s roads benefit from lower DUI rates, efforts to reduce accidents and speeding incidents could significantly enhance overall safety. The state’s scenic highways and diverse terrain make safe driving behaviors essential for avoiding preventable collisions.
South Carolina
South Carolina ties with Oregon for 18th place, with 27.7 incidents per 1,000 drivers. Its accident rate, at 18.1 per 1,000 drivers, is slightly higher than Oregon’s but not among the nation’s worst. South Carolina’s DUI rate of 2.5 per 1,000 drivers ranks it among the higher states, pointing to a need for stronger impaired-driving prevention measures.
The Palmetto State’s speeding-related incidents are relatively low, which may indicate that most drivers adhere to speed limits. However, ongoing efforts to reduce DUIs and improve safety on rural and urban roads could help South Carolina move toward safer driving overall.
Nevada
Nevada sees 27.6 incidents per 1,000 drivers, putting it in 20th place. With an accident rate of 15.6 per 1,000 drivers and a DUI rate of 1.4, the Silver State’s driving issues stem more from occasional recklessness than consistent problems. Speeding-related incidents, at 3.6 per 1,000 drivers, are also moderate compared to the worst offenders.
Given Nevada’s reliance on tourism and high-density areas like Las Vegas, addressing these issues becomes particularly important. Stricter enforcement of road laws and public awareness campaigns could help Nevada drivers improve their safety record.
Maine
Maine, with 26.7 incidents per 1,000 drivers, shows mixed results in driving safety. The state’s accident rate of 18.4 per 1,000 drivers is among the better figures on this list, but its speeding-related incident rate of 2.9 per 1,000 drivers highlights room for improvement.
Maine’s rural roads and harsh winter conditions can pose unique challenges for drivers. Efforts to address weather-related hazards and promote safer driving habits could lead to fewer accidents and a better overall driving environment.
Virginia
Virginia records 26.5 incidents per 1,000 drivers, placing it 22nd. The state’s accident rate of 15.2 per 1,000 drivers is on the lower side, reflecting a moderate safety record. However, its speeding-related incident rate of 3.2 per 1,000 drivers indicates a need for better enforcement of speed limits.
Virginia’s DUI rate of 1.6 per 1,000 drivers is relatively low, suggesting that impaired driving is less of a problem. Continued emphasis on speed management and accident prevention could further enhance Virginia’s road safety profile.
Hawaii
Hawaii sees 26.3 incidents per 1,000 drivers, placing it near the bottom of this list. Its accident rate of 14.8 per 1,000 drivers and speeding-related incident rate of 2.4 are both relatively low compared to other states, which is a positive sign.
Hawaii’s unique geography and shorter driving distances may contribute to fewer severe incidents. However, promoting defensive driving and maintaining strict enforcement of traffic laws will help ensure the state’s roadways remain safe.
Delaware
Delaware’s 26.2 incidents per 1,000 drivers secure its spot as 24th on this list. With an accident rate of 16.3 per 1,000 drivers and a DUI rate of 1.4, Delaware fares better than many states. However, it still faces challenges, especially in its more congested areas.
Efforts to improve road safety in Delaware could focus on education and proactive enforcement. As one of the smallest states, Delaware has the potential to make big strides in reducing its incident rate.
Ohio
Ohio rounds out this list with 26.0 incidents per 1,000 drivers. The state’s accident rate of 13.9 per 1,000 drivers and DUI rate of 1.5 are relatively low, suggesting that Ohio drivers are generally cautious. However, speeding-related incidents, at 4.2 per 1,000 drivers, remain a concern.
Ohio’s diverse mix of urban and rural roads requires tailored safety measures to address unique challenges. Continued investment in road safety campaigns and stricter enforcement of speeding laws could help improve Ohio’s safety record.
Driving safety varies widely across the U.S., with some states showing significant room for improvement. From speeding to impaired driving, addressing these challenges will require a combination of education, enforcement, and infrastructure upgrades. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, staying vigilant and following the rules of the road is the best way to stay safe.
Source: LendingTree
States With the Worst Road Conditions. Is Your State One of Them?
Which states boast the smoothest rides—and which ones will rattle your car to its core? Find out where your state ranks in road quality and see if your suspicions about those bumpy drives are spot on!
The 25 States with the Highest EV Adoption Rates
The electric vehicle revolution is gaining serious momentum! Discover the top states leading the charge in EV registrations and see how much they’ve grown over the past three years.