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.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Dani Best
Licensed Insurance Producer
Dani Best has been a licensed insurance producer for nearly 10 years. Dani began her insurance career in a sales role with State Farm in 2014. During her time in sales, she graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology from Capella University and is currently earning her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since 2014, Dani has held and maintains licenses in Life, Disability, Property, and Casualt...
Licensed Insurance Producer
UPDATED: May 29, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single insurance company.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: May 29, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single insurance company.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
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.
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.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to secure reliable coverage at the most competitive rates. Start comparing now and drive with confidence knowing you have the right insurance.
Top 10 States With the Worst Drivers
Each year, based on data from fatalities, driving under the influence (DUI) arrests, citations, and speeding tickets, states are ranked as states with the worst drivers or states with the best drivers. The list below shows the worst drivers by state. You’ll notice that these states are across the whole country – and not specified geographically. So, what state has the worst drivers?
Mississippi. Mississippi is on the list of states with the worst drivers. It has the second highest number of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles. Mississippi also has the second-lowest rate of insured drivers at 76.3%.
Nevada. Nevada is rated as being a state with some of the worst drivers, specifically because of their DUI rates. Of 1,000 drivers, approximately six drivers have been arrested with a DUI charge.
Tennessee. With only 80% of drivers insured, and a rate of three DUI arrests per 1,000, Tennessee is next on the list of states with the worst drivers.
Florida. The residents of Florida have the lowest rate of insured drivers at 73.3%. Also, they are ranked 11th when it comes to the highest number of vehicle-related fatalities.
California. California has approximately four DUI arrests per 1,000 drivers, ranking them at number five for states with the worst drivers.
Arizona. Arizona is on the list specifically because of its rates of vehicle-related fatalities. They are ranked at the third highest in driving-related deaths.
Texas. Tied in ranking with South Carolina, Texas has four DUI arrests per every thousand.
South Carolina. Tied in ranking with Texas, South Carolina is seventh on the list of states with the worst drivers. South Carolina comes in at number one for highest in driving-related fatalities.
New Mexico. This state ranks at number nine with over 1/5th of their drivers being uninsured.
Alaska. Of the states on the list with the worst drivers, Alaska features the least bad drivers, coming in at number 10. Alaska ranks sixth for the highest in driving-related fatalities.
Although the aforementioned represent the top 10 states with the worst drivers, a list likewise exists featuring the states where the top 10 worst drivers reside. Some of the states do overlap and show up on both lists.
- Wisconsin
- Tennessee
- New Jersey
- Idaho
- Utah
- Alaska
- California
- Virginia
- North Dakota
- Iowa
Obviously, not everyone who lives in one of the states with the worst drivers is actually a bad driver, but it’s something to keep in mind when you’re out on the road. Be safe!
Compare The Best Insurance Quotes In The Country
Compare quotes from the top insurance companies and save!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Top 10 States With the Best Drivers
According to WCIA, data was pulled from two million car insurance quotes from drivers all across the country to compile a list of best drivers by state. Factoring in accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and citations – the same criteria as was used for the worst drivers list – the states with the best drivers appear as follows:
- New Hampshire
- West Virginia
- Oklahoma
- Kentucky
- Illinois
- Delaware
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Arizona
- Connecticut
If you live in one of these states, you may pay less for your car insurance than others, since insurance companies take these factors into account when setting rates.
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.
Violation | Cheapest Insurer | Annual Cost of the Cheaper Insurer | Average Annual Cost | Savings |
---|---|---|---|---|
Speeding | Geico | $2,186 | $2,748 | 20% |
Run a stop sign | Geico | $2,188 | $2,758 | 21% |
Racing | Geico | $2,265 | $2,848 | 20% |
Reckless driving | Geico | $2,265 | $2,848 | 20% |
Careless driving | Geico | $2,188 | $2,933 | 25% |
DUI | Progressive | $2,038 | $3,390 | 40% |
At-Fault Accident | Progressive | $2,428 | $3,526 | 31% |
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 in 2023?
According to the data, Mississippi has the worst drivers in 2023.
What insurance companies are recommended for states with 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.
What are the recommended insurance companies for bad drivers?
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.
Compare The Best Insurance Quotes In The Country
Compare quotes from the top insurance companies and save!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Dani Best
Licensed Insurance Producer
Dani Best has been a licensed insurance producer for nearly 10 years. Dani began her insurance career in a sales role with State Farm in 2014. During her time in sales, she graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology from Capella University and is currently earning her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since 2014, Dani has held and maintains licenses in Life, Disability, Property, and Casualt...
Licensed Insurance Producer
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.