The Nation's Dumbest
Drivers by State
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How smart are drivers in America? Not very, according to the 4th annual GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test. 33 million licensed Americans would not pass a written drivers exam if taken today and may be unfit for the roads!
But where are the smartest and dumbest drivers? We count down the states that scored lowest to a new No. 1 dumbest-driver state and then reveal where the smartest drivers reside. So strap on your seat belts and see if your state is among the dumbest.
The national average score was 78.1%.
Next: 10th Dumbest -
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
No. 10 Dumbest: Maryland
Average Score: 76.8%
Maryland residents' ranking plunged from middle of the pack in 2007 to the bottom 10 this year.
Random Fact:
Eighty-four percent of Americans could not identify the correct action to take when approaching a steady yellow traffic light, and 73 percent could not properly identify a typical safe following distance from the car in front of them.
Next: West Virginia -
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
No. 9 Dumbest: West Virginia
Average Score: 76.5%
West Virginia residents rank in the bottom 10 for the second straight year. In the first annual test in 2005, West Virginia ranked among the 10 smartest states.
Random Fact:
Nearly half (47 percent) of Americans don't know how many feet to signal before making right or left turns.
Next: Louisiana -
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
No. 8 Dumbest: Louisiana
Average Score: 76.4%
Residents of the Bayou State have ranked in the bottom half every year. One positive this year was their average score improved 1 percent.
Random Fact:
Forty-three percent of Americans are unaware of the meaning of a diamond-shaped sign (warning sign).
Next: Hawaii -
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
No. 7 Dumbest: Hawaii
Average Score: 76.3%
Residents of Hawaii may live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, but their driving skills could use some help.
Random Fact:
Fortunately, nearly all respondents (98 percent) know what to do when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights approaches, what to do when hydroplaning and the meaning of a solid yellow line.
Next: Mississippi -
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
No. 6 Dumbest: Mississippi
Average Score: 75.7%
If Magnolia State residents don't have enough to worry about, they also have to deal with many poor drivers.
Random Fact:
Approximately three in five Americans believe that permit or license applicants should be required to take a standard, national written driver's test with questions applying to all 50 states.
Next: Georgia -
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
No. 5 Dumbest: Georgia
Average Score: 75.5%
For the first time ever, Georgia residents fell to the bottom five. On the positive side, they too saw a slight improvement in their average score.
Random Fact:
Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe that each state should have the same basic traffic safety regulations, such as speed limit, parking regulations and pedestrian right-of-way.
Next: Massachusetts -
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
No. 4 Dumbest: Massachusetts
Average Score: 75.0%
For the fourth year in a row, Massachusetts has the fourth dumbest drivers in America.
Random Fact:
The Northeast had the lowest average test scores (76 percent) and the highest failure rates (19.8 percent).
Next: New York -
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
No. 3 Dumbest: New York
Average Score: 74.0%
Empire State residents rank as the third dumbest, but that is a big improvement from last year when they ranked as the dumbest. Their average score saw the biggest improvement of any in the top 10.
Random Fact:
With age comes wisdom: The older the driver, the higher the test score. Drivers 35+ years old were most likely to pass.
Next: Washington, D.C. -
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
No. 2 Dumbest:
Washington, D.C.Average Score: 72.9%
For the second time in three years, residents of our nation's capital rank as the second dumbest.
Random Fact:
Approximately two in three Americans believe that drivers should be required to re-take the DMV road test after a certain age.
Next: The Dumbest Driving State -
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
No. 1 Dumbest: New Jersey
Average Score: 69.9%
For the first time ever, New Jersey drivers rank as the dumbest. And to throw salt on the wound, they have the lowest average score ever. No score has been below 70 percent before.
Random Fact:
While average test scores between the genders were similar, women were more likely to fail the test than men (20 percent versus 13 percent)
Next: The Smartest Driving State -
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
No. 1 Smartest: Kansas
Average Score: 84.0%
The home of Dorothy and the Jayhawks rises from fifth smartest to smartest in 2008. They just beat out Idaho and Nebraska which ranks second and third.
Random Fact:
The Midwest had the highest average test scores (81 percent) and the lowest failure rates.
Full State Rankings From GMAC
Next: Top 5 Driving Mistakes That Cause Crashes -
Top 5 Driving Mistakes That Cause Crashes
1. Multi-Tasking While Driving
2. Following Too Closely
3. Failure to Yield on a Left-Hand Turn
4. Incorrect Merging
5. Backing Up
Source: GMAC
Next: Best/Worst Excuses for Getting Out of a TicketRelated Links:
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Best Ticket ExcusesWe asked AOL users to share the best (and worst) excuses they have ever used to try and get out of traffic tickets. Some of their responses were doozies!
Click through our gallery as we highlight some of the funniest, strangest and most original excuses shared. But remember, if you don't speed, you won't have to be so creative yourself!
Best Traffic Ticket Excuses
Next: 10 Auto Brands in TroubleRelated Links:
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More From AOL:
Auto Brands in TroubleWith the car market reeling, do we need so many brands? While a few, like Toyota, remain strong, it may be time to kill off some stragglers. Click here to see the top 10 auto brands that are in trouble.
Which Auto Brands Should Go?
Next: Vehicle Theft Hot SpotsRelated Links:
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More on AOL:
Vehicle Theft Hot Spots
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), preliminary crime data released by the FBI contains some positive news on the vehicle theft front. Not only is 2007 on track to be the fourth consecutive year of declining vehicle thefts, but if the preliminary figure of -7.4% holds, it will be the largest single year percent drop in thefts since 1999.
But that may be small comfort to the cities on this list. Click through our gallery as we count down the top 20 areas for vehicle theft in America.
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Recent Comments
Lsultraviolet 06:18:32 PM Sep 01 2009
i have driving for 55 years and never had an accident what about you
BASSINYOURFACE34 01:21:23 PM May 11 2009
I wouldn't call the northeast dumb, its more like they don't give a **** about anybody else but them, its the I want to get their first mentality. Now down south i would call those drivers dumb. In Florida im always amazed at some of the decisions those drives make.
LAce493072 01:21:58 AM Mar 22 2009
Yes some elderly should not be on the road but there are thousands of younger people that should not have been givin drivers licences. Young kids with there hats on back wards that think they are hot shot drivers and young mothers racing home after work or racing to get the kids to a game.Cell phones should not be allowed in cars or blue tooth either. Most of the kids and young adults are tearing in and out of traffic with a cell phone stuck in there ear. So much for passing a law, You don't see many older adults driving but you sure see a lot of young dumb speeders.
Fureyj8 10:26:36 PM Nov 19 2008
Being a truck driver I see drivers from PA, NJ, NY, Vermont, and others. By far the most aggervating and worst drivers are from PA. They seem to have no concept of staying to the right, proper use of signals, how not to tailgate, and speed to name a few. I found this out the hardway in my own car when a PA driver was speeding in a heavy downpour and hydroplaned head-on into my car.
Averykygolfbum 10:32:45 AM Nov 04 2008
I LOVE THE IDIOTS WHO SWITCH ON THEIR TURN SIGNALS FIVE FEET IN ADVANCE.
Averykygolfbum 10:31:53 AM Nov 04 2008
I LOVE THE IDIOTS WHO ACTIVATE THEIR TURN SIGNALS FIVE FEET IN ADVANCE.
Billclair19950 12:47:42 PM Oct 26 2008
Who are you folks writing in. The best or smartest drivers. What constitutes a dumb driver? Age, gender, the kind of car they drive, what? Soon dumb drivers will be judged by race or if they wear glasses or something really stupid. Maybe the government should step in and regulate dumb drivers. I feel sure that every state in the Union has it's share of dumb drivers. I totally agree getting rid of the cell phone would be the perfect answer for a lot of the dumb drivers. Cell phone should be used only after the driver has found a safe place to pull off the road. Ear pieces are available for those folks who depend on their phone for their livelyhood. And maybe a few more police to enforce the laws that are already on the books.
MatDKnife 11:24:39 PM Oct 21 2008
Never go anywhere in a hurry ! Stop eating! Put the damn phone down! DRIVE.
Danielccain 11:17:26 PM Oct 21 2008
I travel to different areas around the country for my job. In most of the areas that I have visited traffic flows smoothly. The worst I have personally experienced is an area along the Ohio river in Mason county, West Virginia. Winding roads, drivers speeding left of center around sharp curves, overloaded Mack trucks, people that run stop signs and pull right in front of you, old handicaped drivers going 10 mph under the limit, and all on two lane roads. Every day a deer runs out in front of my car. There have been three deaths in the past week alone. I hope I live long enough to finish this job. I would never concider full time work in this aera because of this. I will never go back.
SAILOR61946 08:52:08 PM Oct 21 2008
I am 82 years old and I do drive well I don't have vision problembut have it check at lest once a year and some times twice a year.I see well at night but not as well as a thirty year old . We have a number of young friends so at night I give them my car key's. That is if I have seen them drive. Some I want ride with..I would not really want a driver test law for drivers after 70' years old. In my heart I know it must be passed as soon as possible.I have one friend who is almost blind and still driving. I have offered many, many times to take him any where he or his wite need to go BUT PRIDE stands in the wayHe will never quit until he KILLS someone or he and his wifeRay Farmer sailor61946@aol.com 10-21-08 7:52pm cdt
