Ask anyone in any state in the U.S. which state has the worst drivers, and they’ll likely tell you that it is probably their own.

Which state actually has the worst drivers? According to a recent study by QuoteWizard that used samples of incident data juxtaposed with fatality data from the Federal Highway Administration, California claimed the top spot for worst drivers in the United States. Sacramento was rated the worst driving city in the entire country, and across the state, the number of citations and DUIs reported helped propel California to the top spot on the list.

After California, Minnesota ranked No. 2, Utah claimed No. 3, South Carolina was No. 4, and Washington was listed at No. 5. So where is Louisiana on the list? You may be surprised to find out that Louisiana was locked firmly in the middle of the pack at No. 26. While you may think that drivers in Baton Rouge are some of the most dangerous you’ve ever encountered, statistics show that we are just average in citations, DUIs, distracted driving, and other hazards.

Among the states with the safest drivers were Florida, Mississippi, Michigan, and Arkansas. With relatively low numbers of accidents, citations, and fatalities, the state of Rhode Island claimed the top spot for safest drivers in the U.S. The only statistic that brought the state’s score down slightly was its relatively high (13th in the nation) number of DUIs.

Traffic Deaths Increase Nationwide

Everyone seems to have their frustrations with drivers today, and for a good reason: despite advancements in safety technology and hundreds of millions spent on public safety awareness campaigns, more people are dying on U.S. roadways than they have in years, according to a report by the New York Times. Over the two-year period from 2015 to 2016, fatal accidents on our roads and highways increased by a massive 14%.

What is the cause of the recent increase in fatal accidents? Experts believe that two main factors have contributed to the dangers on our roads, and they are: more mileage being driven each year and an epidemic of distracted driving. Because of the stronger economy, Americans are driving more than they were before, and with increased numbers, there is a correlation of increased accidents. When it comes to distracted driving, it is clear that our dependence on our smartphones to text, tweet, or interact on social media is having an effect on our concentration on the road.

An accident can occur anywhere at any time. While we do our best as drivers to be attentive and cautious behind the wheel, the actions of other drivers often cause unavoidable and devastating collisions.

If you are hurt in an accident caused by a reckless, aggressive, or distracted driver, you should not have to suffer the pain or endure the financial hardships that a crash can cause. Since 2003, the attorneys at Babcock Injury Lawyers have fought to protect injured people in Baton Rouge and across the state of Louisiana. We have secured millions of dollars in compensation for car accident victims. Call us or contact us online now for a free consultation to find out how we can help you. Get even. Call Stephen.