Worst Drivers: California's Ranking In National Survey

California drivers tend to be aggressive and impatient — perhaps the gridlock that plagues many state highways and metro areas brings out the worst in commuters. Seventeen other states have worse drivers than the Golden State; the sad honor for the worst drivers among all 50 states and the District of Columbia goes to Montana, according to a new report released by CarInsuranceComparison.com, an auto insurance website.

The website used data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for its survey and noted that the National Centers for Disease Control ranked the U.S. 19th among nations with similar income when it comes to destructive driving. The survey ranked states based on fatality rates, "failure to obey" laws for things such as seatbelt use and having a valid license, careless driving, drunken driving, and speeding.

California finished 18th in the worst-drivers rankings. The worst driving behaviors for California drivers were drunk driving and speeding. The worst drivers in 2017, according to the survey, were in Montana, followed by Arizona, Louisiana, Texas and Nevada to round out the top five slots.

On the other end of the spectrum, the survey says the best drivers are in Iowa, then Minnesota, New Jersey, Virginia, and Ohio. Virginia tied for the 48th slot, while Washington, D.C., tied for No. 32 among the worst drivers with Connecticut and New York.

Do you agree or disagree with the ranking of the state's drivers? How about our neighbors?

Texting and phone use are leading causes of distracted driving, says the California Highway Patrol. State law prohibits the use of a handheld phone while driving. This includes writing, sending or reading a text or electronic message. April is recognized as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. in California. Drivers under the age of 18 are not allowed to use a phone while driving in California.

All distractions endanger drivers, passengers and pedestrians, CHP officials say. Most distractions involve cognitive and sensory distraction. When you make a call on a hand-held phone you are not only holding and looking at the phone, you are also dialing, listening and thinking about the conversation.

Driver distractions include:

• Texting
• Using a cell phone or smartphone
• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Reading, including maps
• Using a navigation system
• Watching a video
• Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

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By Deb Belt, Patch National Staff

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