Utah Ranked Fourth Worst For Drivers And Locals Might Not Be Surprised
Utah has earned another national ranking, although this is probably not one many residents will be eager to celebrate.
A new compilation by World Population Review ranks Utah fourth among the states with the worst drivers, trailing only New York, New Jersey and Hawaii. Massachusetts rounded out the top five.
The ranking is based on a 2024 analysis by Munley Law that used data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Highway Administration and the Insurance Information Institute. Rather than focusing solely on crash statistics, the analysis considered a variety of traffic safety measures to develop its rankings.
More Than Just Crash Data Was Included
World Population Review also includes information from an earlier study that examined factors including DUI arrests, insurance coverage, traffic fatalities and even internet searches related to speeding tickets. Because the website combines studies using different methodologies, the rankings should be viewed as a broad comparison rather than a definitive measure of driving ability.
The website itself contains an interesting wrinkle. Although the page is titled "Worst Drivers by State," the accompanying table notes that higher "Bad Driving Scores" actually indicate better driving performance, making the presentation a bit confusing.
Still, Utah's appearance near the top of the list is likely to spark plenty of discussion. Anyone who has spent time navigating Interstate 15, Main Street in Cedar, or the Boulevard in St. George during rush hour has probably developed a few theories about the state's driving habits. Some motorists appear convinced the left lane is their permanent residence, while others seem to regard turn signals as optional equipment that only adds unnecessary wear to the steering column. Then there are the drivers who apparently believe the safest following distance is measured in inches rather than car lengths.
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Of course, ask almost any Utahn about the ranking and they'll probably agree with one part of it: the bad drivers are real. They just happen to be the people in the other vehicles.
Whether Utah truly deserves the No. 4 ranking is open to interpretation, particularly given the different methodologies behind the studies. Even so, the report offers a useful reminder that patience, courtesy and a little extra space between vehicles can go a long way toward making Utah's roads safer for everyone.
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Gallery Credit: Chris Cardenas