What State Has the Worst Drivers? It Might Be Yours

Florida has repeatedly been ranked the No. 1 state for the worst drivers in the nation.

Florida has a very high crash rate, and roughly one in five motorists in the state is uninsured—among the worst proportions in the country. The state also logs over 32,000 DUI arrests in a typical year.

Heavy traffic, tourism, and risky highway behavior increase crash risk. Insurance premiums reflect this danger, with residents often paying more for coverage.

Texas has consistently been among the most dangerous states to drive in. It has reported the highest annual number of traffic fatalities of any state in recent years—over 4,150 deaths in 2024 alone—driven by its large population, extensive highway network, high travel speeds, and heavy truck traffic.

In Texas, rural highways have a fatal crash rate about double that of other roads (2.52 vs. 1.26 per 100 million VMT), while congested urban freeways (e.g., I-35 through Austin) also see frequent collisions due to dense traffic and aggressive driving.

California’s driving record is shaped by scale. With the largest number of vehicles and drivers, the state posts the highest number of total crashes.

Congestion, lane misuse, left lane violations, and aggressive passing all contribute, even though the per-driver fatality rate is closer to average than other states on this list.

Louisiana ranks among the worst states for fatal crashes. It has one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the nation per capita, yet a relatively low DUI arrest rate.

These factors increase insurance costs and medical expenses for injured drivers and passengers.

Colorado’s safety record has declined in recent years. Speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving contribute to a rising crash and fatality rate. Mountain highways and changing weather increase risk.

New Mexico struggles with impaired driving. The state has the second-highest rate of alcohol-impaired driving deaths in the country.

Long rural highways, limited enforcement, and uninsured drivers raise accident risk.

Arizona drivers rank poorly in several categories. Speeding-related crashes are common. Hot weather and fast-moving highways make accidents more severe.

New Jersey’s issue is density, not distance.

Heavy traffic, short trips (measured in minutes, not miles), aggressive lane changes, and congestion increase the likelihood of crashes.

While fatality rates are lower than some states, frequent accidents keep insurance costs high.

New York shows a split safety picture: Urban areas experience constant minor crashes, while rural highways see higher-speed accidents.

Insurance rates and claims reflect this uneven risk.

Montana has one of the highest fatality rates per mile driven. High speeds, rural highways, and fewer traffic stops mean accidents are often deadly when they occur.

No single mistake makes a state the worst. Studies look at the total number and percentage of crashes, fatalities, and traffic deaths, plus DUI arrests, uninsured drivers, and speeding citations.

Some states rank second-highest or second-worst across several categories, which can push them to the top overall even if they are not the absolute worst in one area.

Data from sources like the Insurance Information Institute show that states with higher accident rates also see higher car insurance premiums, more uninsured drivers, and increased claims for injuries and vehicle damage.

Some states consistently rank as the safest state options. Others appear year after year on worst-driver lists. The difference often comes down to enforcement, traffic laws, infrastructure, and driving culture.

In reality, bad drivers exist in every state.

Where you live influences risk, but individual behavior matters more. Obeying traffic laws, maintaining your car, and carrying proper insurance coverage reduce risk no matter the state.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.