LendingTree published a study in December 2025 that ranks the states with the worst drivers based on factors like speeding and accidents per 1,000 drivers. The data showed unexpected results, making North Dakota the state with the worst drivers in practically every category.
Consumer Affairs identified New Jersey as one of the states with the most aggressive drivers. However, the states with the highest accident rates are Massachusetts, Maine, California, and Rhode Island.
Utah and California also appear in the top 10 highest rates in many categories. However, North Dakota is the most alarming state when it comes to careless drivers.
The states with the highest and lowest rates of traffic accidents
According to the study, “incidents” include speeding, DUIs, accidents, and citations, or any combination of these.
Which states have the higher number of incidents?
- North Dakota: 64 incidents per 1,000 drivers.
- New Jersey: 58.8 incidents per 1,000 drivers.
- Washington, Utah, and Rhode Island complete the top five.
With just 20.9 incidents per 1,000, Michigan, on the other hand, has the best people on the road based on this statistic. With a score of 23.1, Florida comes in second, followed by Colorado with 23.7. Then, Illinois and Connecticut are ranked fourth and fifth on that list.
Which states have a higher rate of speeding drivers?
North Dakota is the only state with a speeding incident rate higher than 10, with 11.9 per 1,000 drivers, according to the study. It also ranks among the states that issue the most tickets.
Rob Bhatt, one of LendingTree‘s insurance experts, says that since there is less traffic in rural areas, it is tempting to speed, which helps explain why many of the worst states are mostly rural.
The top five include Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Minnesota.
At just 0.2 per 1,000, New Jersey had the fewest speeding incidents. California, Massachusetts, New York, and the District of Columbia all had fewer than one per 1,000.
Despite not being in that group, Florida landed at number six.
The states with the most DUIs and car accidents
Which states have a higher DUI rate?
North Dakota has the highest rate of DUI (3.7 per 1,000 drivers). The states with the second, third, and fourth highest rates are Utah, Minnesota, and California. Fifth place is shared by Wyoming and Wisconsin.
At 0.4 per 1,000 drivers, Florida has the lowest rate of DUI. With less than one per 1,000, Illinois, Mississippi, West Virginia, Colorado, Missouri, Alabama, South Carolina, and Delaware are also notable.
Which states have a higher accident rate?
The only state with more than 30 accidents per 1,000 drivers is New Jersey. Here’s the top 5:
- New Jersey: 31.5 accidents per 1,000.
- Rhode Island comes next with 29.
- California comes in third with a score of 28.1.
- Massachusetts and Maine complete the top five.
In this category, North Dakota is not among the top ten.
Michigan is the state with the fewest accidents (10 per 1,000), followed by Colorado (11.7) and Florida (11.9). The final two states with the lowest rate of accidents per 1,000 drivers are Mississippi and Minnesota.
How drivers can stay safer
According to Bhatt, the three main causes of car crashes are speeding, driving while intoxicated, and distracted driving.
Due to a lack of similar data, LendingTree‘s study is not specifically focused on distracted driving; however, it is still dangerous, so they suggest putting the phone away when you’re behind the wheel.
The report also recommends considering “uninsured motorist coverage.” One in seven drivers does not have liability insurance, which poses a risk.
In most of the metrics, North Dakota wears the crown. States like Michigan and Florida do better in some categories, while New Jersey is the state with the highest accident rate.
However, ranking high for incidents, car accidents or most DUIs are not lists people on the road would want to be. Being prudent and securing the right coverage can make the difference.
