TEXAS— Plenty of people are convinced their city or state is home to the worst drivers in the U.S., but for Texans, there is data to back that claim up.
According to Forbes Advisor, a publication that provides product reviews and financial tips, Texas has the worst drivers in the country.
Forbes compared all 50 states and Washington, D.C. using six metrics. Besides identifying the states with the worst drivers, the study identified the types of dangerous driving present in each state.
With a score of 100 out of 100, Texas took the No. 1 spot. Texas was ranked second worst in the country for fatal vehicle crashes involving a drowsy driver and deadly wrecks involving a wrong-way driver or driver on the wrong side of the road.
Texas additionally is identified as having the third highest number of drunken drivers involved in fatal crashes and the ninth highest number of deadly wrecks involving distracted drivers.
Following Texas for states with the worst drivers are Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma and Kentucky.
Forbes says fatal vehicle crashes are up across the country. There were more than 39,500 of them in 2021, up 10% from 2020.
The Texas Department of Transportation has a program in place called #EndTheStreakTX. It’s aimed at ending the streak of traffic fatalities in the state. According to the department, Texas has lost at least one person every day on its roads since Nov. 7, 2000.
Forbes used the following metrics to compile its list:
- Number of drunken drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers
- Number of fatal accidents involving a distracted driver per 100,000 licensed drivers
- Number of fatal wrecks involving a drowsy driver per 100,000 licensed drivers
- Number of fatal accidents involving a driver who was driving the wrong way on a one-way street or on the wrong side of the road per 100,000 licensed drivers
- Number of fatal crashes involving a driver who failed to obey traffic signs, traffic signals or a traffic officer per 100,000 licensed drivers
- Number of drivers who looked at a phone per mile
FAQs
Texas received a score of 95.12 out of 100, making it the 3rd most dangerous state for drivers in the United States in 2024.
Which state in the US has the best drivers? ›
- 5 states with best drivers. According to our survey data, these are the five states with the best driving behavior and least amount of aggressive driving.
- Tennessee. Tennessee wins the crown of having the best drivers based on our survey data. ...
- Oregon. ...
- Arizona (tied) ...
- Florida (tied) ...
- Washington.
It's no secret that road rage incidents are far too common in the Lone Star State, and when aggressive or reckless driving escalates into a car accident, it can leave you feeling helpless and vulnerable.
Is Texas a safe place to drive? ›
The Numbers. The national average for road fatalities as at 2018 was 11.9 but in a twist of events, Texas alone lost a little less than 0.02% (or 12.7 per 100,000) of it's population to auto crashes. This puts Texas as the state with the second-highest auto crash fatalities in the U.S.
What is Texas number 1 in? ›
Texas is No. 1 in number of Fortune 500 companies
Texas is the state with the most Fortune 500 companies, according to the 68th Fortune 500 annual list of the largest U.S. corporations, with 53 Fortune 500 corporate headquarters that call the Lone Star State home. With the June 2022…
Where does Texas rank in the world? ›
The $2.4 trillion Texas economy is now the eighth-largest economy among the nations of the world, larger than Russia, Canada, Italy and more. The Texas economy has expanded faster than the nation six quarters in a row. Texas is the top state for Fortune 500 headquarters, now at 55.
Is driving too slow illegal in Texas? ›
Under Texas Transportation Code § 545.363, a vehicle may not be driven so slowly as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation.
Does Texas have bad roads? ›
Roads in the Lone Star State have deteriorated in the past 20 years—in 2000, just under 83% of roads were in acceptable condition while 77.6% were in 2020.
Is Texas strict on speed limit? ›
The Basic Speed Law in Texas requires that drivers travel at a speed that is reasonable and prudent under existing conditions. This means drivers must drive at a safe speed based on factors like traffic, weather, visibility, and road conditions.
What is Texas most safest city? ›
- Trophy Club. The safest city in Texas is Trophy Club, which has a crime rate that is 89% below the state average. ...
- Fulshear. Fulshear is also one of the safest places to live in Texas. ...
- Highland Village. Highland Village is another suburb of Dallas and sits on the south side of Lewisville Lake. ...
- Colleyville. ...
- Friendswood. ...
- Hutto.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, about half of all fatal crashes occur between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Is Texas a good state to drive in? ›
Out of all 50 U.S. states, the study says Texas is the seventh best state to drive in overall. Out of a score of 100, researchers gave Texas almost 60 points. Iowa has the top spot with 62.61 and Hawaii takes the bottom at 40.28. So as wild as Texas traffic can be, how does it have a Top 10 spot?
What is Texas State ranked? ›
Texas State University's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #280. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,207; out-of-state tuition and fees are $24,447. Texas State University is a public institution that was founded in 1899.
How is Texas ranked compared to other states? ›
The research's key findings showed that Texas ranked in the top four for slow real estate growth. In addition, Texas residents worked longer hours than every other state except Louisiana, which ranked first for hours worked. Furthermore, Texas ranked 12th for levels of violent crime and 10th for auto crime.
How is Texas am ranked? ›
Rankings & ratings
Texas A&M University is one of the top public universities in College Station, United States. It is ranked #154 in QS World University Rankings 2025.
What is Texas ranked in quality of life? ›
After hovering in the 30s for most of the 14 years of this study, Texas has been ranked next-to-last (49th out of 50 states) in the last two years of the study for “Life, Health & Inclusion (LHI),” which is the renamed title for “Quality of Life” in the CNBC study.
