Florida Ranks 4th in Country for Worst Drivers

Florida drivers have moved up on the list for worst drivers. Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, it’s in the wrong direction.

A recent study by SmartAsset, ranked Florida drivers as fourth-worst in the U.S. In truth, the Sunshine State tied for the same position with Texas and Nevada. The last study compiled ranked Florida as the eighth-worst state for drivers overall.

Key Takeaways from the Study

SmartAsset uses four areas of competency to file and rank states in terms of how well their drivers fare on the road. The metrics used include per capita number of DUI arrests, motor vehicle fatalities, number of traffic violations, and number of speeding tickets. It also takes into consideration the number of insured drivers.

The study cites that roughly 73 percent of Florida drivers possess the required mandated insurance. This number is the lowest in the country.   Never mind the fact that “mandated” insurance does not require Bodily injury liability under Florida law.   DUI arrests rank eighth lowest, placing the state in the top ten.

Here’s where things take a dark turn. According to the study, there are 1.47 fatalities per 100 million miles driven. This number places Florida in the top ten ranks of most deadly states through which to drive.

Southern States Have a Reputation for Bad Drivers

The study also cites that southern states carry the least favorable impression on their residents’ ability to drive safely and obey laws. Five of the top ten states for worst driving fall under the southern region of the U.S.

In short, driving through Florida is a dangerous feat. Texting while driving is the leading cause of motor vehicle-related fatalities. Even gas prices and the economy play a role. More people driving on public roadways respectively increases the tally regarding accidents and traffic tickets by virtue of statistical data.

Top 10 States with the Worst Drivers on the Road

Either way, commuting in a motor vehicle is a necessity for most of the population. Let’s see how Florida stacks up against the rest of the top ten states with the worst drivers on the road.

1. Mississippi
2. Alabama
3. California
4. Florida
5. Nevada (tied 4^th place)
6. Texas (tied 4^th place)
7. Arizona
8. Alaska
9. Tennessee (tied 8^th place)
10. Missouri

As you can see, there are plenty of drivable states that made the list. However, let’s consider how Florida’s cities stack up against themselves regarding driving ability and safety.

Best and Worst Places to Drive in Florida

Another study compiled by QuoteWizard ranks fifty of Florida’s largest cities to consider safety and drivability. In addition to the same metrics mentioned in the previous section, the study analyzed data from more than 400,000 online insurance quotes to rank cities.

Here are the results:

Worst Cities to Drive in Florida

1. Jacksonville
2. Tallahassee
3. Clearwater
4. Cape Coral
5. Gainesville
6. Plantation
7. St. Petersburg
8. Pine Hills
9. Fort Myers
10. Deerfield Beach

Jacksonville was the leader among worse drivers. The study attributes their findings to the number of traffic fatalities. There are current 16.10 fatalities involving motor vehicles per 100,000 drivers. Florida’s state average is 14.83.

Best Cities to Drive in Florida

1. Pembroke Pines
2. Daytona Beach
3. Miami Beach
4. The Villages
5. Poinciana
6. Lauderhill
7. Weston
8. Kissimmee
9. Pompano Beach
10. Delray Beach

QuoteWizard further posits that you are more likely to experience better drivers on the roadway as you head further south. In a shocking statistic, Broward County carries a traffic fatality rate of 11.62 fatalities per 100,000 people. That’s 21.6 percent fewer fatality incidents when compared to the rest of the state.

Key Takeaways from Both Studies

The state of Florida keeps moving down the ranks of worst drivers but not for the better. Over the last few years, a recent study downgrades the Sunshine State from eighth-worst to fourth worst. Let’s avoid taking over the number one spot, fellow Floridians.

SmartAsset’s study considered DUI numbers, traffic fatalities, traffic citations, and percentage of insured drivers. On a positive note, Florida’s DUI arrests are among the lowest in the nation while traffic fatalities are some of the highest.

Just like in life, there are no absolutes when it comes to labeling an entire state. Each city within has its own merit. The worst city in which to drive is Jacksonville while Pembroke Pines is the best. The further south you drive into Florida, the better experience you have with other drivers.

About Kaire Heffernan, LLC

Kaire Heffernan, LLC is a personal injury law firm that serves residents of Miami-Dade County and surrounding areas. Since 1997, our Florida personal injuries have helped injured people receive the compensation they deserve on valid claims. If you have been injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle, you can schedule a free consultation by calling 305-372-0123.