It seems that traffic has never been worse and people have never been so unsafe while driving as in the last couple of years. And it’s just getting worse – there are new accidents daily. So here is my list of cities with the worst drivers, so you can pay extra attention to the road if you end up driving there.
Why Is There So Much Trouble On the Road?
The streets are filled with vehicles nowadays. Owning a car and having a driver’s license has become a necessity in this day and age. They are no longer considered to be a luxury, even with the car prices being so high. Everyone can get a driver’s license, and it doesn’t matter if they actually know how to drive properly or not. The roads are filled with people, unavoidably creating large traffic jams, which leads to impatience and lack of concentration behind the wheel.
And it feels like driving is no longer about getting from point A to point B, it’s about having the best, most luxurious car and driving for fun, even if it puts other people in danger. Being a good driver isn’t enough to protect you since you can’t control other people’s driving. You can drive like Schumacher and have an idiot driver crash into you, and there’s very little you can do to avoid it.
What Makes a Bad Driver?
Car accidents are the aftermath of people having never learned how to drive. We could blame the driving instructors and schools, but we could also try to improve. There are many qualities that make a bad driver, and in my opinion, the worst ones are impatience and arrogance. That’s a dream combo for dangerous behavior on the road. It might be time to work on your skills and improve if you drive aggressively, have speed tickets or DUIs piling up, tailgate, never use proper light signalization, or present a danger on the road to others in any other way.
Why Are Car Accidents So Common These Days?
New statistics show that there are about 15,000 car accidents happening in the world every day. That means that there is a new car accident happening somewhere every six minutes. Why does that keep happening in the day and age where you have cars that will literally drive for you? People have simply become reckless, speeding, driving aggressively, and using their brakes as toys, and no tail light or brake lights are going to prevent the person behind you from knocking into you.
Not to mention how many people use their phones while driving. That is one of the most dangerous things you can do behind the wheel. You might be thinking – I’ll just change the song or quickly answer this text, but believe me, a second not paying attention on the road could be crucial. It’s what causes distracted driving, and according to the American Automobile Association’s Traffic Safety Division, distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents. Leave your phone alone for a while and enjoy your ride.
What Is a DUI?
A DUI is short for “driving under the influence,” in other words, impaired or intoxicated driving. Drunk driving takes second place on the list of 5 top causes of car accidents. And while driving under the influence of alcohol is the most common DUI, drug intoxication is also very common. Usually, it’s cannabis related, but the number of DUIs caused by driving under the influence of prescription medications has grown a lot in the last decade.
Do Traffic Jams Affect the Drivers?
Do Traffic Jams Affect the Drivers?
Traffic jams and congestion are becoming more and more frequent because of the number of vehicles on the roads. According to statistics, an average American driver spends about 100 hours in traffic jams and congestion every year. It’s more common in bigger cities such as Los Angeles or New York, and it definitely has an impact on drivers. They become more impatient and nervous, which later on leads to speeding and car crashes. Congestions also lead to minor car crashes because vehicles are spaced so close together.
Accidents Are Often Caused by Road Rage
One of the most common causes of car accidents is road rage. It emotionally overtakes the driver, causing him to be more aggressive and a threat on the road. It’s usually present when people are running late for important things or they get frustrated with traffic jams. People speed way over the limit, run red lights, and do anything they can just to hurry up without thinking about the possible consequences of their actions.
The List of 12 Cities With the Worst Drivers
Out of over 100,000 cities in the USA, these are the 12 worst candidates. You have to have pretty bad drivers in order to make it into the top 12. We’re talking about daily accidents and people barely knowing what’s left and what’s right here. I wouldn’t be surprised if people wrote on their steering wheel reminders of which side is where. So here is the list of the top 12 cities where you should be scared for your life if you ever get to drive there:
- Bakersfield, California,
- Sacramento, California,
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana,
- Los Angeles, California,
- New York City, state of New York,
- San Diego, California,
- San Francisco, California,
- Jacksonville, Florida,
- Fresno, California,
- Riverside, California,
- Salt Lake City, Utah,
- Richmond, California.
How Did We Get to These Statistics?
The logic behind this study is solid – they took information from car insurance companies. Every record of every car accident, DUI, case of speeding, and any other form of illegal driving has been taken into consideration. Millions of car insurance applications have been sorted out and used for insight, leaving us with valuable information on what cities to avoid.
The study also showed that accidents are more likely to happen while driving at night. Weather conditions also have a big impact on the way people drive, especially snow or rain, so make sure you clean your windshield wipers and always switch between your summer and winter tires in time.
Bakersfield, California, Takes the First Spot for Bad Drivers
Bakersfield in California undoubtedly has some of the worst drivers since the city has managed to have the highest number of DUIs in the whole USA. It’s also ranked number four when it comes to speeding. Citations are not uncommon, either. So I suggest walking if you ever get to go to Bakersfield.
As Many as 8 Cities On the List Are From California
The state of California obviously has some issues with driving since eight out of twelve cities on our list are there. Don’t they know that’s how stereotypes come to exist? And of course, I don’t support stereotypes, and those could all be isolated incidents, but I would probably wrap myself in bubble wrap if I ever got to drive in Cali. The most common reason for this bad ranking status is the fact that there are so many people driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs. It’s what the state of California is known for – drunk driving and Hollywood.
Baton Rouge In Louisiana Has Some Pretty Bad Drivers
One thing you should know about Baton Rouge is that this city has very aggressive drivers. And not only are accidents a daily occurrence, but this city has the second-highest percentage of fatal accidents in the USA, right after Detroit. According to statistics, for every 100,000 residents of Baton Rouge, there are 16.5 fatalities.
That is a ridiculously high percentage and the number one reason why this city is not safe for driving. Baton Rouge also has a high percentage of crimes involving cars, especially break-ins and stealing. So don’t even try to imagine how much the insurance companies’ rates cost.
New York City Is Not Safe In Any Way
While the city of New York is not exactly known for being the safest place in the world, it’s not just regular criminals that present a danger on the streets. The city is crowded with bad drivers, and in a fast-paced city such as New York, it could be a fatal combination. That’s why it made the list, ranking at number five.
Even Sunny Florida Made the List with Jacksonville
While Florida isn’t exactly considered to be a troubled state, Jacksonville is number eight on the list for a good reason. While there aren’t many fatalities, car accidents and citations are pretty common.
Don’t Forget to Pay Extra Attention When You Drive In Salt Lake City as Well
While Salt Lake City is near the bottom of the list, it’s not exactly a place I would pick to have a joy ride in. They are notorious for speeding and alcohol-related accidents, and citations are a regular occurrence as well.
What Should You Do in Case You Are in a Car Accident?
In the worst-case scenario, where you are involved in a car accident, it’s very important to know how to act right. The first thing you should do is check to see if there are any visible injuries on you or anyone else involved in the crash. Also, be on the lookout for any sign that a person is not feeling well, and call an ambulance if there is a need for that.
If everyone is alright and it was a minor crash or a bump, call the police department and give your statement, and have the accident documented. And remember, always fasten your seat belt – it could save your life.
What Are Some of the Cities with the Best Drivers?
If you’re looking for a little bit of a safer place, where people respect the rules of traffic, stop at red lights, and know how to use their blinkers, we’ve got you covered with a list of places with great drivers. In these places, DUIs aren’t a regular occurrence, people have some respect for others participating in traffic, and accidents aren’t that often.
Another interesting fact to take into consideration is that the cost of car insurance is as much as ten times lower than in cities that are less safe for drivers. Starting off, I would like to give a shout-out to the states of Texas and Kansas since each of them has three cities on the list of the top 10 cities with the best drivers:
- Brownsville, Texas,
- Boise, Idaho,
- Huntsville, Alabama,
- Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas,
- Laredo, Texas,
- Olathe, Kansas,
- Fort Collins, Colorado,
- Overland Park, Kansas,
- McAllen, Texas,
- Cape Coral, Florida.
Always Drive Carefully and Pay Attention to the Road
No matter where you are, whether in Bakersfield or Brownsville, you should always respect traffic rules and drive carefully. Everyone makes mistakes, it happens to the best of us. I mean, were you really a beginner if you didn’t scratch someone’s car accidentally? But there is a fine line between accidents and recklessness and endangering other people. So always choose to be safe and smart in a situation where a second of impatience or recklessness could change your life forever.
