TEXAS — Plenty of people are convinced their city or state is home to the worst drivers in the U.S., but for Texans, there is data to back that claim up.
According to Forbes Advisor, a publication that provides product reviews and financial tips, Texas has the worst drivers in the country.
Forbes compared all 50 states and Washington, D.C. using six metrics. Besides identifying the states with the worst drivers, the study identified the types of dangerous driving present in each state.
With a score of 100 out of 100, Texas took the No. 1 spot. Texas was ranked second worst in the country for fatal vehicle crashes involving a drowsy driver and deadly wrecks involving a wrong-way driver or driver on the wrong side of the road.
Texas additionally is identified as having the third highest number of drunken drivers involved in fatal crashes and the ninth highest number of deadly wrecks involving distracted drivers.
Following Texas for states with the worst drivers are Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma and Kentucky.
Forbes says fatal vehicle crashes are up across the country. There were more than 39,500 of them in 2021, up 10% from 2020.
The Texas Department of Transportation has a program in place called #EndTheStreakTX. It’s aimed at ending the streak of traffic fatalities in the state. According to the department, Texas has lost at least one person every day on its roads since Nov. 7, 2000.
Forbes used the following metrics to compile its list:
- Number of drunken drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers
- Number of fatal accidents involving a distracted driver per 100,000 licensed drivers
- Number of fatal wrecks involving a drowsy driver per 100,000 licensed drivers
- Number of fatal accidents involving a driver who was driving the wrong way on a one-way street or on the wrong side of the road per 100,000 licensed drivers
- Number of fatal crashes involving a driver who failed to obey traffic signs, traffic signals or a traffic officer per 100,000 licensed drivers
- Number of drivers who looked at a phone per mile