America’s Best and Worst Drivers All Live in These Cities
Data from Munley Law and federal sources reveal sharp differences in driver safety across the country. Some states see fewer crashes and strong seatbelt use, while others struggle with high rates of speeding and DUIs. This breakdown highlights which states stand out for safer roads and where drivers face more risks behind the wheel.
New York
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According to Munley Law’s 2024 ranking, New York drivers are the safest overall. The state posted the second‑lowest traffic fatality rate in 2023 and the third‑lowest drunk driving fatal crash rate. New York consistently scored above average across all nine safety metrics, which is rare for a state with so many miles of busy urban roadways.
New Jersey
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Right next door, New Jersey drivers also performed well. Munley’s data shows they tied New York for the third‑lowest drunk driving fatal crash rate and ranked fourth‑lowest for speeding‑related crashes. Strong seatbelt use and solid DUI enforcement help the Garden State stand out, even on its famously crowded turnpikes.
Hawaii
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Hawaii lands third among the best. The state had the third‑lowest overall traffic fatality rate in the U.S. and the second‑highest observed seatbelt use at 95.9%, according to the NHTSA data cited in Munley’s study. Low drunk driving crash rates also contributed to Hawaii’s safe‑driving reputation.
Tennessee
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Tennessee showed up as a standout in The Zebra’s national survey with some of the highest marks for good driving behaviors. Drivers there rarely admit to aggressive habits, and they score well for yielding to pedestrians and following signals. Distracted driving was the most commonly witnessed issue, but overall, volunteer‑state motorists have earned their praise.
Oregon
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NHTSA’s observed seatbelt use surveys place Oregon among the top states, and Zebra’s survey found they tied with Tennessee for low levels of aggressive driving witnessed. The most common complaint in Oregon? Changing lanes without signaling—a quirk that clearly hasn’t hurt their overall safety record.
Colorado
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On the other side of the spectrum, Colorado ranked worst in Munley’s analysis. The state saw high rates of both speeding‑related and drunk driving crashes, and 69% of surveyed drivers admitted to poor driving behaviors such as tailgating.
Mississippi
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Mississippi came in as the second‑worst state for drivers. It recorded the second‑highest motor vehicle fatality rate and one of the highest percentages of uninsured motorists. Munley’s data shows that these factors, combined with below‑average scores in most other categories, keep the Magnolia State near the bottom of the list.
Wyoming
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Wyoming had the highest rate of motor vehicle fatalities and the highest speeding‑related fatal crash rate in 2022. Interestingly, pedestrian fatalities are far below the national average, and only 5.9% of drivers are uninsured, but wide‑open roads appear to encourage excessive speed.
New Mexico
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The state logged the second‑highest speeding‑related fatal crash rate, the third‑highest drunk driving fatal crash rate, and one of the country’s largest percentages of uninsured drivers at 24.9%. That mix of risky habits and low insurance coverage makes accidents especially costly here.
Oklahoma
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Munley’s analysis shows average levels of aggressive driving, but distracted driving was the most commonly admitted bad habit. Changing lanes without signaling topped the list of witnessed problems.
South Carolina
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South Carolina tops the nation for drunk-driving deaths, with 8.1 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents in 2022. That’s far above the national average and even higher than Wyoming’s rate. Drunk driving remains a serious problem here, putting everyone on the road at greater risk.
Washington, D.C.
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The nation’s capital scored well in several categories. Munley’s report notes that D.C. had the lowest rate of fatal drunk driving crashes in 2022 at 1.49 per 100,000 residents—almost 60% lower than the national average. D.C. also recorded one of the lowest DUI arrest rates, suggesting strong prevention and awareness.
Louisiana
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Pedestrian and cyclist deaths in Louisiana are more than double the national average, based on NHTSA data. Most safety numbers for the state fall below the mark as well. For anyone traveling by foot or bike here, the risks stand out and shouldn’t be ignored. Drivers face plenty of challenges too, from traffic to enforcement gaps.
Iowa
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In contrast, Iowa shines for pedestrian safety. In 2022, its pedestrian and cyclist fatality rate was 72% lower than the national average. Coupled with high seatbelt use—also near the top nationally—drivers in Iowa show that a mix of caution and compliance can make a huge difference on the road.
Virginia
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One surprising metric came from Virginia, which, despite not ranking worst overall, had the lowest observed seatbelt use in the country at just 75.6%. That figure comes straight from NHTSA’s 2022 surveys.