This State Has the Worst Drivers in America
Keep your wits about you if you ever find yourself behind the wheel in this state.
![Side view image of irritated young man shouting at other drivers while driving on the highway](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/upset-driver.jpg?quality=82&strip=1&resize=640%2C360)
Country roads, city streets, or suburban lanes—no matter where you find yourself behind the wheel in the United States, you've likely encountered drivers who probably would be better off riding in the passenger's seat. But when you look deeper, it's clear certain regions have worse drivers than others. There are a lot of qualities that define a bad driver, but we've honed in on four key metrics to determine the state with the worst drivers in America.
First, we found the number of car accident fatalities per capita (100,000 people) using data from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System and state population numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau. Next, we looked at the Insurance Research Council's study of uninsured drivers to tell us what percentage of residents drive without insurance in each state. After that, we factored in Background Checks' research on driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol to show which states have the most DUI arrests per capita. Finally, we used data collected by, oddly enough, a Honda dealership in Yonkers, New York to tell us how many speeding tickets each state issued. This data originally covered six years, so we averaged it and divided it by each state's population to tell us roughly how many speeding tickets each state issued per capita per year. (There was missing legible data for 11 states, which we've indicated with "N/A".)
We then gave each of the four metrics a weighted value before running them through our exclusive algorithm to see how each state scored on our 100-point scale Bad Driver Index.
Out of all regions of the country, northeastern states seem to have the best drivers: New York had the fewest fatalities per capita, Maine the fewest uninsured drivers, and Delaware the fewest DUI arrests per capita, with only the fewest speeding tickets per capita (Alaska) bucking the trend. Curious to know who's worst behind the wheel? Read on to discover the state with the worst drivers in America and to see how your state scored in comparison. And for a ranking that could contribute to dangerous driving, This Is the Angriest State in America.
50
Massachusetts
![boston massachusetts state capitol buildings](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/boston-massachusetts-with-state-house.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 5.22
Portion of uninsured drivers: 6.2 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 140.71
Speeding tickets per capita: N/A
Bad Driver Index Score: 0.00
49
Illinois
![Chicago, Illinois traffic](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/07/Chicago-Illinois.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 8.09
Portion of uninsured drivers: 13.7 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 98.59
Speeding tickets per capita: 83.21
Bad Driver Index Score: 8.66
48
New York
![aerial view of the bronx in new york](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_648271807.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 4.83
Portion of uninsured drivers: 6.1 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 262.18
Speeding tickets per capita: 519.47
Bad Driver Index Score: 16.52
47
Delaware
![Saturated early morning light hits the buildings and architecture of downtown Wilmington Delaware](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/delaware-state.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 11.48
Portion of uninsured drivers: 11.4 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 44.29
Speeding tickets per capita: N/A
Bad Driver Index Score: 19.20
46
Pennsylvania
![](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/pennsylvania-i76.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 9.29
Portion of uninsured drivers: 7.6 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 346.79
Speeding tickets per capita: 199.32
Bad Driver Index Score: 20.16
45
Connecticut
![panorama photo of Hew Haven, Connecticut at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/new-haven-connecticut.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 8.23
Portion of uninsured drivers: 9.4 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 216.44
Speeding tickets per capita: N/A
Bad Driver Index Score: 20.18
44
Virginia
![virginia beach town center](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/virginia-beach-town-center.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 9.63
Portion of uninsured drivers: 9.9 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 253.45
Speeding tickets per capita: 245.38
Bad Driver Index Score: 20.72
43
Ohio
![](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/cleveland-ohio-driving-cities.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 9.14
Portion of uninsured drivers: 12.4 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 152.28
Speeding tickets per capita: 466.07
Bad Driver Index Score: 26.17
42
Rhode Island
![](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/rhodeisland-i95-2.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 5.58
Portion of uninsured drivers: 15.2 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 228.17
Speeding tickets per capita: N/A
Bad Driver Index Score: 26.66
41
New Jersey
![](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/newjersey-lincoln-tunnel.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 6.33
Portion of uninsured drivers: 14.9 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 219.64
Speeding tickets per capita: N/A
Bad Driver Index Score: 27.18
40
Texas
![austin texas skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_220743916.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 12.69
Portion of uninsured drivers: 14.1 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 259.58
Speeding tickets per capita: 159.26
Bad Driver Index Score: 30.22
And for the place that is least hesitant to bend the rules, This Is the Most Corrupt State in America.
39
West Virginia
![charleston west virginia skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_746637304.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 16.28
Portion of uninsured drivers: 10.1 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 298.54
Speeding tickets per capita: 101.55
Bad Driver Index Score: 30.80
38
Maine
![Casco Bay Bridge spans Fore River connecting South Portland and Portland in Maine.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/portland-maine.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 10.24
Portion of uninsured drivers: 4.5 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 434.17
Speeding tickets per capita: 429.40
Bad Driver Index Score: 30.84
37
Utah
![aerial view of logan utah](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/logan-utah.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 8.22
Portion of uninsured drivers: 8.2 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 266.53
Speeding tickets per capita: 645.19
Bad Driver Index Score: 31.25
36
Nebraska
![cityscape photos of buildings and streets in Omaha, Nebraska](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/omaha-nebraska-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 11.92
Portion of uninsured drivers: 6.8 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 305.38
Speeding tickets per capita: 460.60
Bad Driver Index Score: 31.33
35
Michigan
![](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/michigan-i75.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 9.74
Portion of uninsured drivers: 20.3 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 265.07
Speeding tickets per capita: 99.29
Bad Driver Index Score: 32.46
34
Colorado
![cityscape photo of Aurora, Colorado](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/aurora-colorado.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 11.10
Portion of uninsured drivers: 13.3 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 410.96
Speeding tickets per capita: 106.96
Bad Driver Index Score: 32.78
33
Alaska
![An aerial view of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel from Mount Roberts.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/alaska-wildfires.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 10.85
Portion of uninsured drivers: 15.4 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 429.03
Speeding tickets per capita: 4.94
Bad Driver Index Score: 32.81
32
Minnesota
![cityscape photo of downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/st-paul-minnesota-2.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 6.79
Portion of uninsured drivers: 11.5 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 362.35
Speeding tickets per capita: 487.04
Bad Driver Index Score: 33.34
31
Maryland
![Interstate 97 dangerous highways](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/i97-maryland.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 8.29
Portion of uninsured drivers: 12.4 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 308.71
Speeding tickets per capita: N/A
Bad Driver Index Score: 33.79
30
Oklahoma
![moore, oklahoma](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/moore-oklahoma.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 16.61
Portion of uninsured drivers: 10.5 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 225.07
Speeding tickets per capita: 265.44
Bad Driver Index Score: 33.97
29
Hawaii
![An aerial shot of downtown Honolulu, Hawaii from the water looking inland.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/downtown-honolulu-hawaii-skyline-covid-under-control.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 8.24
Portion of uninsured drivers: 10.6 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 373.48
Speeding tickets per capita: N/A
Bad Driver Index Score: 34.90
28
Kansas
![](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/kansas-us400.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 13.88
Portion of uninsured drivers: 7.2 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 347.94
Speeding tickets per capita: 388.53
Bad Driver Index Score: 35.40
27
Vermont
![cityscape photos of stores and street in downtown Montpellier, Vermont](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/montipeler-vermont.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 10.86
Portion of uninsured drivers: 6.8 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 418.37
Speeding tickets per capita: N/A
Bad Driver Index Score: 37.14
26
California
![hollywood sign in Los Angeles, California](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_602810696.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 9.01
Portion of uninsured drivers: 15.2 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 322.71
Speeding tickets per capita: 382.14
Bad Driver Index Score: 37.08
And for the place where people are least inhibited in the bedroom, This Is the Freakiest State in America.
25
Missouri
![columbia missouri](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1272540370.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 15.03
Portion of uninsured drivers: 14 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 219.61
Speeding tickets per capita: 291.12
Bad Driver Index Score: 37.14
24
Nevada
![reno nevada](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_231512866.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 10.88
Portion of uninsured drivers: 10.6 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 364.51
Speeding tickets per capita: 430.13
Bad Driver Index Score: 37.62
23
New Hampshire
![white mountain highway with covered bridge new hampshire](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/white-mountain-highway-new-hampshire.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 10.84
Portion of uninsured drivers: 9.9 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 383.60
Speeding tickets per capita: N/A
Bad Driver Index Score: 40.77
22
Idaho
![cityscape photo of downtown Bosie, Idaho](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/boise-idaho.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 13.17
Portion of uninsured drivers: 8.2 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 365.86
Speeding tickets per capita: 512.39
Bad Driver Index Score: 41.36
21
Montana
![cityscape photo of downtown Bozeman, Montana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/bozeman-montana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 17.13
Portion of uninsured drivers: 9.9 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 381.24
Speeding tickets per capita: 222.35
Bad Driver Index Score: 41.47
20
North Dakota
![fargo north dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1114407548.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 13.81
Portion of uninsured drivers: 6.8 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 678.35
Speeding tickets per capita: 85.35
Bad Driver Index Score: 42.43
19
Louisiana
![An aerial photo of downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana with the Mississippi River in view](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/downtown-baton-rouge-louisiana-coronavirus-drop.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 16.48
Portion of uninsured drivers: 13.0 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 142.88
Speeding tickets per capita: N/A
Bad Driver Index Score: 42.82
18
Iowa
![cityscape photo of Des Moines, Iowa at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/des-moines-iowa.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 10.08
Portion of uninsured drivers: 8.7 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 375.23
Speeding tickets per capita: 675.99
Bad Driver Index Score: 43.02
17
Wisconsin
![road leading to the town of ephraim wisconsin](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/ephraim-wisconsin.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 10.11
Portion of uninsured drivers: 14.3 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 425.26
Speeding tickets per capita: 394.30
Bad Driver Index Score: 44.18
16
Alabama
![orange beach alabama](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1362512519.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 19.50
Portion of uninsured drivers: 18.4 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 208.12
Speeding tickets per capita: 105.57
Bad Driver Index Score: 44.82
15
Arizona
![downtown phoenix arizona](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_615741548.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 14.08
Portion of uninsured drivers: 12.0 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 291.52
Speeding tickets per capita: 536.00
Bad Driver Index Score: 45.63
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14
Kentucky
![An aerial view of downtown Lexington, Kentucky on a clear day](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/downtown-lexington-kentucky-coronavirus.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 16.20
Portion of uninsured drivers: 11.5 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 423.13
Speeding tickets per capita: 268.83
Bad Driver Index Score: 46.42
13
Indiana
![the Monument Circle and downtown area of Indianapolis, Indiana at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/indianapolis-indiana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 12.82
Portion of uninsured drivers: 16.7 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 295.37
Speeding tickets per capita: 435.72
Bad Driver Index Score: 47.08
12
Tennessee
![memphis tennessee skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_702572374.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 15.38
Portion of uninsured drivers: 20.0 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 300.28
Speeding tickets per capita: 332.71
Bad Driver Index Score: 53.50
11
North Carolina
![city skyline of Charlotte, North Carolina at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/charlotte-north-carolina.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 13.84
Portion of uninsured drivers: 6.5 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 518.82
Speeding tickets per capita: 734.48
Bad Driver Index Score: 57.24
10
Arkansas
![fayetteville arkansas street](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1343517656.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 17.12
Portion of uninsured drivers: 16.6 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 218.21
Speeding tickets per capita: N/A
Bad Driver Index Score: 57.82
9
Washington
![city skyline and busy highway in Seattle, Washington at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/seattle-washington.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 7.25
Portion of uninsured drivers: 17.4 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 430.19
Speeding tickets per capita: 801.68
Bad Driver Index Score: 59.31
8
Florida
![tampa florida skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_711013549.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 14.71
Portion of uninsured drivers: 26.7 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 150.98
Speeding tickets per capita: 479.50
Bad Driver Index Score: 59.63
And for the place where people can never seem to get enough, This Is the Greediest State in America.
7
Georgia
![cityscape photo of fast moving traffic on a highway and building in Atlanta, Georgia at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/atlanta-georgia-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 14.30
Portion of uninsured drivers: 12.0 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 347.79
Speeding tickets per capita: 825.76
Bad Driver Index Score: 60.25
6
Oregon
![](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/12/columbia-river-gorge-oregon.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 12.07
Portion of uninsured drivers: 12.7 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 369.46
Speeding tickets per capita: 1,112.35
Bad Driver Index Score: 69.24
5
New Mexico
![cityscape photo of buildings and trees in Albuquerque, New Mexico](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/albuquerque-new-mexico.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 18.66
Portion of uninsured drivers: 20.8 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 459.67
Speeding tickets per capita: 361.28
Bad Driver Index Score: 71.31
4
South Dakota
![The main street of Deadwood, South Dakota with cars and shops in view.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/deadwood-south-dakota-covid-spike-state.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 14.74
Portion of uninsured drivers: 7.7 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 721.93
Speeding tickets per capita: 811.35
Bad Driver Index Score: 75.54
3
South Carolina
![downtown columbia south carolina](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1139213159.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 20.40
Portion of uninsured drivers: 9.4 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 344.48
Speeding tickets per capita: 1,105.68
Bad Driver Index Score: 78.07
2
Wyoming
![sheridan wyoming](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/sheridan-wyoming.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 19.21
Portion of uninsured drivers: 7.8 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 676.1
Speeding tickets per capita: 1,037.55
Bad Driver Index Score: 90.04
1
Mississippi
![cityscape photo of the Old Mississippi Capitol Building in downtown Jackson, Mississippi](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/jackson-mississippi.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Car accident fatalities per capita: 22.23
Portion of uninsured drivers: 23.7 percent
DUI arrests per capita: 462.21
Speeding tickets per capita: 817.44
Bad Driver Index Score: 100.00
And for the place that's greenest with envy, This Is the Most Jealous State in America.