Best and Worst Drivers in the US?

[Magical2017]

Which states have the best and worst drivers, in your opinion?

Best: I was pleasantly surprised when I drove in Seattle. The drivers actually let you in if you put your blinker on! Who knew?

Worst: Maryland. Don't you DARE put your blinker on and try to merge onto the beltway. You have to speed up and cut people off. People will cut you off and then drive slowly. They honk and flip you off constantly. I have had to become a much more aggressive driver. I drive on back roads now so my stress is low. Driving causes me a lot of stress. When DH drives I have to hold a stress ball (he is from Maryland).

Some states have a law that says you cannot honk at other drivers except in case of emergency.

I have lived in the midwest, south, and west coast. Maryland drivers are the worst, imo.

 

[easyas123]

Worst: Maryland. Don't you DARE put your blinker on and try to merge onto the beltway. You have to speed up and cut people off.

Ehhh… I don’t know, the beltway isn’t the definition of Maryland roads, can’t judge them all by that. I’ll say the drivers in shore traffic on the Bay Bridge & on the Island aren’t winning any awards for good driving either. And I’ve had my worst road rage experience with a driver up in far west MD.

With all that said I’ll keep my Maryland drivers. Because compared to the folks here in SW FL where we are at the moment MD drivers are not to bad!

 

[Magical2017]

Ehhh… I don’t know, the beltway isn’t the definition of Maryland roads, can’t judge them all by that. I’ll say the drivers in shore traffic on the Bay Bridge & on the Island aren’t winning any awards for good driving either. And I’ve had my worst road rage experience with a driver up in far west MD.

With all that said I’ll keep my Maryland drivers. Because compared to the folks here in SW FL where we are at the moment MD drivers are not to bad!

I have only driven in touristy areas in FL. In Maryland, I am in the northeast part, so drive 695, I95, and those parts. When I used to drive in the city that was also pretty bad. Pedestrians walk in front of you in the street and don't look. I never had issues in CA, WA, KS, or TN.

 

[Genie+]

New Jersey has the best and worse drivers. Depends what area you’re in Take Route 80, The ratio of good drivers increases as you move along west and the ratio of horrible drivers increases the closer and closer you get to NYC.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Maryland and Virginia get my vote for the worst but if I had to choose one then Maryland. Some people drive as if they're playing Grand Theft Auto or Mario Kart rather than controlling an actual vehicle. Also people think that using turning signals are 100% optional.

 

[CynBeth]

I live in Maryland but have been fortunate to visit many states and I see good and bad drivers everywhere.

 

[TCRAIG]

Worst is North Carolina - I think cutting people off is the state pastime - and in general, people in the Deep South East do NOT use their turn signals - cause they think it’s nobody’s business where they’re going…
I had drivers Ed in Connecticut where we learned that if someone is signaling and it’s safe to do so - you let them into your lane…my husband, from the Carolinas, thought that was the most ridiculous thing he ever heard…

 

[SpaceMan5]

Best: I was pleasantly surprised when I drove in Seattle. The drivers actually let you in if you put your blinker on! Who knew?

You must have been visiting and caught it on a lucky day. Commuting on a regular basis I can say the Seattle drivers are some of the worst and most entitled on the roads. Just my opinion.

 

[_19disnA]

Have lived/driven in many states and don't think it is the state that matters. Freeways that are more crowded in congested areas around large cities all seem to have their share of drivers who urgently need to be elsewhere, don't seem to care who else in on the road and drive without any concern for others. Those in the left lane 1/2 mile before they plan to exist then suddenly need to zoom over 3 lanes are the real problem.

My other favorite is when there is stopped traffic preparing to enter a construction zone. Rather than wait in line like everyone else, their time is FAR more valuable so they will zoom down the lane that is ending then get angry when you refuse to let them in...................sorry my time is valuable too...........LOL. I like it when a few semi-trucks will work together blocking that lane so everyone realizes they HAVE to merge along with everyone else.

 

[tony67]

Haven driven up and down the east coast I would say the New York Area "CT, NJ and NY" but according to this study its Texas...

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/worst-drivers-by-state/

 

[Kimberlyann11]

I haven't driven many places but Houston was hellish. The drivers there bear down on the drivers in front of them and slam on the brakes. Where I'm from, if someone on the freeway puts on their brakes it means traffic ahead is slowed down or stopped. I was forever thinking that there was some kind of construction or accident ahead when it was just impatient drivers

 

[_19disnA]

As with any study, it depends on the criteria they used. That article from Forbes mentions 6 factors but I didn't see what they are. Only 2 of them are shown in the state map (fatalities & drunk driving). Some of that would seem to be more a measure of population and/or freeway 'density' vs 'bad' driving.

'Bad' driving is subjective, doesn't always result in an accident and wouldn't be counted in that type of study.

 

[EACarlson]

Have lived/driven in many states and don't think it is the state that matters. Freeways that are more crowded in congested areas around large cities all seem to have their share of drivers who urgently need to be elsewhere, don't seem to care who else in on the road and drive without any concern for others. Those in the left lane 1/2 mile before they plan to exist then suddenly need to zoom over 3 lanes are the real problem.

My other favorite is when there is stopped traffic preparing to enter a construction zone. Rather than wait in line like everyone else, their time is FAR more valuable so they will zoom down the lane that is ending then get angry when you refuse to let them in...................sorry my time is valuable too...........LOL. I like it when a few semi-trucks will work together blocking that lane so everyone realizes they HAVE to merge along with everyone else.

Completely agree with the first paragraph, completely disagree with the second. The "zipper merge" has been proven to be faster than everyone lining up early. Many states, my own included, are now running ads to bring this message to people. There have been truckers that have been given tickets for impeding traffic when they block multiple lanes.

Adding on to the first paragraph I'll add on those that don't understand how to merge onto a limited access highway. In Minneapolis you'll see a few that will drive to the bottom of the on ramp, then stop and wait for someone to let them in as traffic is flying by at 60. Inevitably someone on the highway will stop to let that person in, causing even more of a backup.

 

[_19disnA]

Yes, there was also thread on here debating the pros/cons of what some call zipper merge. I still think if people would begin to merge as soon as they see the signs about upcoming construction, would help to avoid congestion. Traffic moves along better once everyone has completed the merging process. Racing past a line of stopped cars so you can join near the end of the line is just being rude and self-absorbed.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

I’m from Ohio and live about 20 minutes from Cedar Point and even closer to a Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari. We see a lot of Michigan drivers in the summer everywhere and they are terrible drivers. It’s not only their driving either. On any given day you’ll see articles in the newspapers about fights breaking out, especially at Kalahari and they almost always involve somebody from Michigan.

 

[Disneylover99]

The driving is terrible in the Toronto area where I live, so every time I drive through the States, I feel like everyone’s driving is great. Lol.

 

[mjkacmom]

New Jersey has the best and worse drivers. Depends what area you’re in Take Route 80, The ratio of good drivers increases as you move along west and the ratio of horrible drivers increases the closer and closer you get to NYC.

And never use your blinker, don’t let others know you want to change lanes. The great thing about driving in NJ is that you can drive anywhere. We have family that moved away and poop themselves when they have to drive here again when visiting (at least here in NE NJ).

 

[Robber Baron]

And never use your blinker, don’t let others know you want to change lanes. The great thing about driving in NJ is that you can drive anywhere. We have family that moved away and poop themselves when they have to drive here again when visiting (at least here in NE NJ).

The CDC announced we can use our directional signals again.

 

[_19disnA]

Or there are those who turn their blinker on and then LEAVE it on after they have finished turning. I often wonder how they don't hear/see the continuing noise or flashing light on their instrument panel? Having it on is also no guarantee someone is turning. I still wait to see they actually turn to avoid a collision when exiting something like a parking lot.

 

[firefly_ris]

Born, raised and learned to drive in Baltimore County. Marylanders don't like turn signals and they do not understand pass left cruise right. I learned to be able to handle a very wide range of driving situations real early! Lots of defensive driving and always assuming the person driving near me is going to make the craziest choice possible. Then I moved to WNY and learned to drive in snow and learned to drive stick. Now the only thing I'm not prepared for is floods and mudslides, lol.

Even with all of that I'd almost say northern VA is worse.

I just spent a week driving around Sarasota, Tampa, Ocala, St. Augustine. Despite the rep I still saw wayyy more turn signals and while not fantastic not horrific either. Just have to be prepared to drive fast and don't hesitate a lot and you're good...