Best and Worst Drivers by State (2024)
These are the best and worst drivers by state. The worst drivers in the United States live in Ohio and Iowa. The best live in Michigan and New York. In all states, at-fault accidents are the most common traffic infractions, raising monthly rates by 40%. Scroll down to compare the best to worst drivers by state.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Tracey L. Wells
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
UPDATED: Sep 11, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page 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 auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Sep 11, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
People all over the country will claim their state has the worst drivers. However, we found the worst drivers in the U.S. live in Ohio based on the number of traffic infractions.
Scroll down for a list of the best and worst drivers by state. States ranked by worst drivers have more licensed drivers without a clean record. If you have tickets or accidents, high-risk auto insurance can raise monthly rates by $50-$100.
It’s also worth looking into driving trends in your area to ensure you’re adequately covered in case of an accident. The number of accidents, thefts, and uninsured drivers in your state can also raise rates. Enter your ZIP code above to get the cheapest auto insurance near you.
- The top five worst driving states are Ohio, Iowa, Nebraska, Virginia, and Wisconsin
- The best states ranked by driving are Michigan and New York
- The most common driving infraction is an at-fault accident
Top 10 States With the Worst Drivers
Who are the worst drivers in the U.S.? The top ten worst driving states are Ohio, Iowa, Nebraska, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, South Carolina, Colorado, Idaho, and Utah.
The top ten states with the worst drivers are identified based on at-fault incidents listed on auto insurance applications as well as traffic fatality rates from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. At-fault incidents may include accidents, DUIs/DWIs, speeding, reckless driving, and more.
Here is a more detailed look at the top ten worst drivers by state:
10. Utah
Utah rounds out the top 10 worst states for drivers. In Utah, 25% of drivers list a prior at-fault incident on their auto insurance applications.
Drivers in Utah also receive citations for illegal behavior 14% more than the national average. However, there are only 7.7 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people, which is 30% lower than the national average. Learn more about Utah auto insurance.
9. Idaho
Idaho has held the ninth spot for the state with the worst drivers since 2019. The traffic incident rate in Idaho is 16% higher than the national average, and there are 12.5 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people.
However, the percentage of drivers with an at-fault incident on their auto insurance applications has fallen from 28% to 25%. Learn how this impacts Idaho auto insurance rates.
8. Colorado
Drivers in Colorado receive driving citations 18% more than the national average. In addition, 26% of drivers have an at-fault incident listed on their auto insurance applications.
Despite having some of the top worst drivers by state, there are 10.3 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people in The Centennial State, which is comparable to the national average. Learn more about Colorado auto insurance.
7. South Carolina
In South Carolina, traffic citations occur 19% more frequently than the national average. In addition, 26% of drivers have an at-fault incident listed on their auto insurance applications. Learn how this impacts South Carolina auto insurance costs.
Even worse is that South Carolina ranks as the fourth state with the most traffic fatalities per capita at 19.4 deaths per 100,000 people. Deaths occur 44% more often compared to the national average.
6. Wyoming
Wyoming drivers receive traffic citations 19% more often than the national average. In addition, 26% of drivers have an at-fault incident listed on their auto insurance applications.
Wyoming also has the second-highest rate of DUIs and the fifth-highest rate of rude driving. To top that, Wyoming has the highest rate of traffic fatalities in the country with 25.4 deaths per 100,000 people. Find out why Wyoming auto insurance rates are so high in our free guide.
5. Wisconsin
Wisconsin drivers receive traffic violations 19% more than the average driver. In addition, 26% of drivers listed an at-fault incident on their auto insurance applications. Wisconsin has the fourth-highest rate of DUIs and the seventh-highest rate of rude drivers.
However, Wisconsin has 9.7 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people, which is slightly lower than the national average and can help lower auto insurance rates. Compare Wisconsin auto insurance.
4. Virginia
In Virginia, drivers receive traffic citations 20% more frequently than the national average. In addition, 27% of drivers have an at-fault incident listed on their auto insurance policies.
Virginia has 9.7 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people. However, it came in first for rudest drivers in the country, making it the worst state for drivers with road rage. Learn more about Virginia auto insurance.
3. Nebraska
Kicking off the top three worst driving states is Nebraska, where drivers receive traffic citations at a rate that is 21% more frequently than average.
In addition, 27% of drivers have an at-fault incident listed on their auto insurance policies. There are 12.8 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people, which is 15% higher than the average. Get more stats in our Nebraska auto insurance guide.
2. Iowa
Iowa drivers receive traffic violations 21% more frequently than the national average. In addition, 27% of drivers list an at-fault accident on their auto insurance applications. There are 10.6 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people, which is similar to the national average. Learn more about Iowa auto insurance.
Finally, where are the worst drivers in America?
1. Ohio
America’s worst drivers by state live in Ohio. Drivers in Ohio receive traffic citations 25% more frequently than the average driver. They top the charts for the most traffic citations and the most speeding tickets per capita. The Buckeye State also has the sixth-highest rate of rude drivers.
However, Ohio has 9.9 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people, which is slightly below the national average. Get more info about Ohio auto insurance.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
States With the Best Drivers
Now that you know the worst drivers ranked by state, which state has the best drivers? The best drivers ranked by state are Michigan, New York, Nevada, Mississippi, New Jersey, Kentucky, Louisiana, West Virginia, Florida, and Arkansas.
The top 10 states with the best drivers have been determined by the number of drivers with no at-fault incidents listed on their auto insurance applications.
Get a closer look at the best drivers in the U.S. by state below:
10. Arkansas
Out of nearly 2.2 million drivers in Arkansas, 82% of them have clean driving records. Compared to the average driver in the United States, Arkansas drivers are 5% more likely to have no citations on their driving record.
However, the most common driving violation on a driver’s record in Arkansas is an at-fault accident. Learn more about Arkansas auto insurance.
9. Florida
Florida has an astounding 15.6 million licensed drivers in the state. Out of those drivers, 83% of them have clean driving records.
Florida drivers’ most common driving infraction is an at-fault accident. In addition, they also pay some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country, which could indicate that there is a risk of other types of damage to your vehicle, such as theft, natural disasters, or uninsured drivers. Learn more about Florida auto insurance.
8. West Virginia
There are approximately 1 million licensed drivers in West Virginia, and about 83% of them have a clean driving record. Again, the most common driving infractions for drivers in West Virginia are at-fault accidents. Learn more about West Virginia auto insurance.
7. Louisiana
Out of 3.5 million licensed drivers in Louisiana, about 83% of them have a clean driving record. However, Louisiana has higher-than-average auto insurance rates, and the most common driving infraction is an at-fault accident. Compare Louisiana auto insurance to get cheaper rates.
6. Kentucky
Kentucky has approximately 3 million licensed drivers. About 83% of them have clean driving records. Therefore, Kentucky drivers are 6% less likely to receive a traffic citation than the average driver.
The most common driving infraction for Kentucky drivers is still an at-fault accident. Compare rates after an accident in our Kentucky auto insurance guide.
5. New Jersey
With about 6.4 million licensed drivers in New Jersey, about 83% of them have clean driving records. However, the most common driving violation in New Jersey is also at-fault accidents. Learn more about New Jersey auto insurance.
4. Mississippi
Mississippi has about 2 million licensed drivers, and about 84% of them have clean driving records. On top of that, the most common driving infraction for Mississippi drivers is speeding.
While speeding causes risk, it’s not as bad as having an at-fault accident on your record. Compare Mississippi auto insurance to see how driving record impacts rates in the state.
3. Nevada
Out of 2 million drivers in Nevada, approximately 84% of them have clean driving records. Compared to the average American driver, Nevada drivers have a 7% higher chance of having no prior driving infractions.
However, the most common infraction for drivers in Nevada is an at-fault accident, and Nevada has some of the most expensive auto insurance in the United States. Compare Nevada auto insurance here.
2. New York
Despite heavy traffic and expensive auto insurance rates, New York is home to some of the best drivers in the USA. Get affordable New York auto insurance here.
New York has an incredible 12 million licensed drivers, and about 85% of them have clean driving records. However, the most common driving violation for New York drivers is an at-fault accident.
1. Michigan
The state with the best drivers is Michigan. Out of 7 million drivers in Michigan, approximately 86% of them have clean driving records. In addition, the most common violation for Michigan drivers is speeding.
However, Michigan is known for having the highest auto insurance rates, possibly due to a high number of uninsured drivers. Learn more about Michigan auto insurance.
How Driving Habits Impact Auto Insurance Rates
Many different factors affect insurance rates, but your driving record has the biggest impact. It’s possible to get cheap auto insurance with a bad driving record, but your costs will still be two or three times the average rate for at least three years after the citation.
This table shows how the top auto insurance companies raise rates after an infraction:
DUI Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates vs. Clean Record by Provider
Insurance Company Clean Record One DUI
$86 $240
$160 $225
$117 $176
$97 $166
$139 $198
$80 $132
$174 $234
$115 $161
$105 $186
$86 $202
$112 $250
$99 $239
U.S. Average $119 $173
On average, an at-fault accident can increase your insurance rates by about 30%-40%, depending on the severity of the accident and the resulting damages. Learn how long an accident affects your car insurance rates.
Similarly, speeding tickets can also result in higher insurance rates, although the exact increase varies depending on the speed you were going and your previous driving record. One speeding ticket typically leads to a rate increase of around 20%-30%.Heidi Mertlich Licensed Insurance Agent
Despite these potential rate hikes, it’s still possible for safe drivers to buy cheap auto insurance even in the top states with the worst drivers. Safe driving habits like avoiding accidents and traffic violations can help keep insurance costs down. Additionally, defensive driving courses or installing safety features in your vehicle may qualify you for auto insurance discounts with providers.
Insurance companies also consider other factors besides your driving record when determining rates, such as your age, the type of vehicle you drive, and your location. While living among the worst state drivers with high rates of accidents or traffic violations can impact your premiums, practicing safe driving and avoiding claims will lower insurance rates.
Tips to Lower Auto Insurance Rates
Even if you share the road with the top 25 worst drivers by state, you can still get affordable auto insurance. Compare auto insurance rates by state to get started.
Then check how much auto insurance you need. Each state has a minimum auto insurance requirement that you must meet to drive legally. It’s typically the cheapest auto insurance you can buy, but it won’t cover your vehicle repairs or medical bills.
Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by State & Coverage Type
| State | Liability | Collision | Comprehensive | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35 | $27 | $13 | $75 |
| Alaska | $47 | $30 | $12 | $89 |
| Arizona | $45 | $23 | $16 | $84 |
| Arkansas | $34 | $27 | $16 | $78 |
| California | $42 | $34 | $8 | $84 |
| Colorado | $45 | $24 | $15 | $85 |
| Connecticut | $57 | $31 | $11 | $99 |
| Delaware | $67 | $27 | $10 | $104 |
| Florida | $74 | $24 | $10 | $108 |
| Georgia | $50 | $28 | $13 | $91 |
| Hawaii | $39 | $26 | $9 | $73 |
| Idaho | $31 | $19 | $10 | $59 |
| Illinois | $38 | $26 | $11 | $75 |
| Indiana | $33 | $21 | $10 | $64 |
| Iowa | $26 | $19 | $16 | $60 |
| Kansas | $30 | $22 | $20 | $73 |
| Kentucky | $45 | $23 | $12 | $80 |
| Louisiana | $68 | $35 | $18 | $121 |
| Maine | $29 | $22 | $8 | $60 |
| Maryland | $53 | $30 | $13 | $95 |
| Massachusetts | $51 | $33 | $11 | $95 |
| Michigan | $68 | $35 | $13 | $116 |
| Minnesota | $38 | $20 | $15 | $73 |
| Mississippi | $39 | $27 | $18 | $84 |
| Missouri | $36 | $23 | $15 | $75 |
| Montana | $33 | $22 | $19 | $74 |
| Nebraska | $31 | $20 | $19 | $71 |
| Nevada | $60 | $26 | $10 | $95 |
| New Hampshire | $34 | $25 | $9 | $68 |
| New Jersey | $75 | $32 | $11 | $117 |
| New Mexico | $43 | $23 | $15 | $80 |
| New York | $69 | $33 | $14 | $115 |
| North Carolina | $30 | $25 | $11 | $65 |
| North Dakota | $25 | $21 | $20 | $65 |
| Ohio | $34 | $23 | $10 | $67 |
| Oklahoma | $39 | $27 | $19 | $85 |
| Oregon | $51 | $19 | $8 | $78 |
| Pennsylvania | $42 | $28 | $12 | $82 |
| Rhode Island | $66 | $35 | $11 | $111 |
| South Carolina | $46 | $22 | $15 | $84 |
| South Dakota | $26 | $18 | $22 | $65 |
| Tennessee | $36 | $26 | $12 | $74 |
| Texas | $46 | $32 | $17 | $95 |
| Utah | $43 | $22 | $9 | $74 |
| Vermont | $30 | $25 | $11 | $66 |
| Virginia | $36 | $24 | $12 | $72 |
| Washington | $51 | $22 | $9 | $82 |
| Washington, D.C. | $55 | $39 | $19 | $114 |
| West Virginia | $42 | $28 | $17 | $87 |
| Wisconsin | $32 | $19 | $12 | $62 |
| Wyoming | $28 | $23 | $21 | $73 |
Collision insurance pays for auto accident damages, while comprehensive insurance covers other incidents, including weather damage and natural disasters. If you want to carry these two policies with your minimum insurance, you will buy full coverage auto insurance. Full coverage is often required if you have an auto loan or lease.
Read More: Collision vs. Comprehensive Auto Insurance
Your minimum auto insurance limits and requirements may also be higher if you live in one of the states with the worst drivers. For example, state laws will have higher car insurance limits if the local area has a high rate of speeding tickets, accidents, or uninsured drivers to mitigate the risk.
This is one reason why auto insurance rates are also higher in some states. That’s why it’s important to compare auto insurance quotes from multiple companies in your region to find the most competitive rates.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Best and Worst Drivers by State: The Bottom Line
What states have the worst drivers? Ohio and Iowa are home to the worst drivers in the nation. Drivers there are over 20% more likely to receive a traffic citation. Nebraska, Virginia, and Wisconsin also host the worst drivers in the USA, but Ohio drivers top the list for most speeding tickets in the country.
Ironically, speeding tickets are the biggest violation in Michigan, which is the best state for drivers. This may contribute to Michigan’s aggressively high auto insurance rates.
Auto insurance is essential to making sure you're protected no matter where you live, even if you live in one of the states with the best drivers. Many of the states with the best drivers pay the highest auto insurance rates, including Florida and Louisiana, which could indicate risk in other areas.Kalyn Johnson Insurance Claims Support & Sr. Adjuster
In addition, even when you rank the worst drivers in America by state, there’s no telling where or when you’ll encounter a bad driver, bad road conditions, or a driver without insurance. Stay protected and enter your ZIP code below to get free auto insurance quotes anywhere in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state has the worst drivers?
The worst drivers in the U.S. by state are Utah, Idaho, Colorado, South Carolina, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Virginia, Nebraska, Iowa, and Ohio.
What are the most common infractions in states with the best drivers?
In states with the best drivers, the most common infractions are at-fault accidents.
Why do states with the best drivers sometimes have higher auto insurance rates?
Despite having good drivers, states with the best drivers may have higher auto insurance rates due to other factors such as at-fault accidents or risk of other types of damage.
What state has the best drivers?
The best drivers in America are in Arkansas, Florida, West Virginia, Louisiana, Kentucky, New Jersey, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, and Michigan.
What state has the safest drivers?
The best drivers in the U.S. live in Michigan, where 86% of drivers have clean records.
What city in the U.S. has the safest drivers?
Some of the best drivers in the country live in Boston, MA, where auto thefts are also least likely.
What are the cities with the worst drivers?
Albuquerque, NM, Memphis, TN, and Detroit, MI are the worst cities to drive in based on fatal accidents and angry driving behaviors.
Why is auto insurance important regardless of the state’s driver rankings?
Auto insurance is essential to ensure protection in case of accidents, bad road conditions, or encounters with uninsured drivers, regardless of the state’s driver rankings.
What state has the craziest drivers?
Arizona is one of the worst states for driving because drivers there are more likely to force others off the road or get out of their vehicle to fight with another driver.
What states have the most car accidents?
Texas and California have the most car accidents but also have the largest populations. The states with the most car accidents per capita are Mississippi and Wyoming.
What state has the slowest drivers?
The slowest drivers by state are Hawaii and Vermont where the average highway speed is 45mph and 50mph respectively.
What state has the highest rate of DUI?
Colorado has the highest DUI rates in the U.S.
What is the least safe car to drive?
The Mitsubishi Mirage, especially the hatchback model, has the highest death rate of any vehicle in an auto accident.
Which state has the fastest drivers?
Texas is home to the fastest drivers in the U.S. State highways have posted limits of 75mph and 80mph in some areas.
What are the worst states to drive through?
Some of the worst states to drive in are New York and New Jersey due to traffic congestion and expensive tolls.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Tracey L. Wells
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.