States with worst drivers. Here are the top 10 per Forbes Advisor:
- Texas
- Louisiana
- Kansas
- Oklahoma
- Kentucky
- New Mexico
- Wyoming
- Arizona
- Montana
- South Carolina
The Palmetto State ranks 10th when it comes to the worst drivers in the United States. Forbes Advisor compared all 50 states and Washington D.C. to find which states have the worst drivers, using six key metrics:
How many fatal accidents per 100,000 licensed drivers were caused by
- drowsy drivers
- drunk drivers
- distracted drivers
- drivers going the wrong way on a one-way road or driving on the wrong side of the road
- drivers who had disobeyed traffic signs and signals
- drivers who were looking at their phone
Each category comprised a certain percentage of each state’s overall score. Five of the categories counting for 18 percent; driving while looking at a phone was only 10 percent of the score. Based on those percentages, each state was given a score out of 100, with 100 being the worst driving possible (Forbes Advisor).
South Carolina Statistics
South Carolina has a score of 71.14 out of a hundred. Per 100,000 licensed drivers involved in fatal car accidents, 15.66 were driving drunk, 1.41 were distracted while driving, 0.64 were driving while drowsy, and 0.43 drivers were driving the wrong way on a one-way street (Forbes Advisor).
Unfortunately, fatal car accidents continue to rise in our state. In 2020, South Carolina had 1,066 traffic deaths. That number increased to 1,198 the next year. However, there was a slight decrease in traffic deaths in 2022, the number being 1,092 (The State). Nationwide, there has been an increase in traffic deaths over the past few years as well.
According to the 2020 Factbook released by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, males accounted for 72 percent of drivers involved in fatal car crashes; females accounted for 24.7 percent.
Statistics on Young Drivers
Drivers between the ages of 15 and 24 account for one of the smallest demographics on the road in South Carolina. But, they account for an average of 1 out of 12 traffic collisions. South Carolina is 1 of 24 states that allow those who are 15 years of age to get their license. This is an interesting fact since the majority of the top 10 worst states for driving also allow 15 year olds, and in the case of Kansas, 14 year olds, to get their licenses (Driving Age By State).
Out-of-state drivers account for 12 percent of all traffic collisions in South Carolina. Of that 12 percent, 56.12 percent of those drivers are from North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.
In the United States, getting a license is a rite of passage. However, as more and more drivers take to the roads, driving becomes an increasingly dangerous activity. It is often the fault of other drivers that cause fatal accidents.
With the above statistics, is it any wonder that South Carolina also has one of the most expensive annual costs for full coverage car insurance (Forbes Advisor)? It is important to stay alert on the road, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Good luck – Safe driving!
Your Auto Accident Attorneys: The Law Offices of David L. Hood – Serving Car Accident Victims in South Carolina
If you have suffered a rear end accident in South Carolina, the legal team at The Law Offices of David L. Hood and co-counsel will help you navigate the situation professionally. We have years of experience in helping people involved in serious accidents figure out the legal requirements and details needed to move forward after an accident. After gathering all the necessary information, we will pour our efforts into building your case to get a fair settlement or take it to court if the need arises.
Our entire team has years of experience representing various clients and car accident victims in South Carolina. Having a passion to help, we offer a free initial consultation where we provide candid legal advice on what options you may have. If you choose to work with us, we promise a contingent-fee based case, where you don’t pay unless we get a recovery in your case.
Contact us online or call us at (843) 491-6025 to schedule your free, no-risk initial consultation with David L. Hood today.
