Worst Drivers: Maryland's Ranking In National Survey

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland drivers tend to be aggressive and impatient — perhaps the gridlock that plagues many state highways brings out the worst in commuters — but that doesn't make them unsafe. Many states have worse drivers than Maryland; 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.

Maryland finished 41st in the worst-drivers rankings, safer than the majority of the state. The worst category for Maryland drivers was drunk driving, where the state ranked 9th. Among all the states Maryland scored best for the use of seat belts, having valid a driver's license and obeying traffic signals.

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 Maryland Department of Transportation. State law prohibits the use of a handheld phone while driving. This includes writing, sending or reading a text or electronic message.

All distractions endanger drivers, passengers and pedestrians, state 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

And here's how the state defines aggressive driving, so you know what NOT to do.

When one of these actions contributes to an accident, Maryland law enforcement classifies that as aggressive driving: failed to yield right of way; failed to obey a stop sign; failed to obey a traffic signal; failed to obey other traffic control; failed to keep right of center; failed to stop for school bus; wrong way on one way; exceeded speed limit; too fast for conditions; followed too closely; improper lane change; improper passing; failure to obey traffic signs, signals, or officer; disregarded other road markings; other improper action; or operated motor vehicle in erratic/reckless manner.

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