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[Phoenix]

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - When faced with a written test, similar to ones given to beginning drivers applying for licenses, one in ten drivers couldn't get a passing score, according to a study commissioned by GMAC Insurance.

The GMAC Insurance National Driver's Test found that nearly 20 million Americans, or about 1 in 10 drivers, would fail a state driver's test if they had to take one today. GMAC Insurance is part of General Motors' finance subsidiary, GMAC.

More than 5,000 licensed drivers between the ages of 16 and 65 were administered a 20-question written test designed to measure basic knowledge about traffic laws and safety. They were also surveyed about their general driving habits.

Drivers in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states did worst. Twenty percent of test-takers failed there.

The state of Rhode Island leads the nation in driver cluelessness, according to the survey. The average test score there was 77, just eight points above a failing grade.

Those in neighboring Massachusetts were second worst and New Jersey, third worst.

Northwestern states had the most knowledgeable drivers. In those states, just one to three percent failed the test. Oregon and Washington drivers knew the rules of the road best. In Oregon, the average test score was 89.

According to the study, many drivers find basic practices, such as merging and interpreting road signs, difficult.

For instance, one out of five drivers doesn't know that a pedestrian in a crosswalk has the right of way, and one out of three drivers speeds up to make a yellow light, even when pedestrians are present, the study said.

Drivers not only lack basic road knowledge, but exhibit dangerous driving behavior as well.

"As a nation of drivers, we've made little progress in the past 10 years to curb some of the most dangerous driving behaviors, including drinking and driving and speeding," said Susan Ferguson, senior vice president of research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

One out of 10 drivers regularly exceeds the speed limit by 11 or more miles per hour, with drivers aged between 18 and 24 years showing the greatest propensity for speeding, the study said.

Speeding increases both the likelihood of an accident and the severity of the crash, the company added, citing research from IIHS.

Younger drivers are the most likely to fail a written driving test while those between the ages of 50 and 64 are the most likely to pass.

Source

 

[Justin Bailey]

one out of three drivers speeds up to make a yellow light

More like 9 out of 10.

 

[3rdman]

I can vouch for the crappy Rhode Island drivers...I was almost run over just crossing the street over there once. I swear the second my foot touched the asphalt, the cars in the distance started accelarting. :/

 

[themadcowtipper]

ANy state I happen to be driving through....Everytime I drive through a state, I get stuck on the road with dumb drivers..

 

[Archaix]

I'm surprised New Jersey is as low as three. Apparently the shittiness that is new jersey driving doesn't translate well to paper exams.

 

[Tabris]

ANy state I happen to be driving through...

Haha. That's unintentionally funny.

 

[Monk]

So having stricter control in who drives means that the US has the worst drivers. A blind man can get a license here in Australia.

 

[Dan]

I'm surprised New Jersey is as low as three. Apparently the shittiness that is new jersey driving doesn't translate well to paper exams.

Indeed. New Jersey's horrendous, and the massive population density sure doesn't help matters.

 

[Leatherface]

I can testify to the authenticity of those results.
Not only does the northeast have horrible drivers. They have ANGRY, horrible drivers. bad combo. :lol

 

[miyuru]

I don't consider myself to be a "bad" driver. But last night, I ran a red light. I'm so stupid!

I didn't do it intentionally at all. I was pretty tired (this was late at night) and driving home from a movie with a friend. So we're talking and I guess my mind was just wandering. I even remember seeing the red light, but it didn't automatically put my foot on the brake. I was so deep in thought about what we were talking about that I didn't even realise. Pretty crazy, I hope it never happens again.

Thank God I didn't get hit though, or hit someone else :S

Then again, I doubt it will ever happen again. After you go through something like that, you make extra sure to not screw up again.

 

[DarienA]

Let me add my surprise that Jersey is not #1... Having driving through Jersey countless times I'm scared to drive through #1 and #2 now....

 

[Escape Goat]

Haha. That's unintentionally funny.

:lol

 

[Phoenix]

Haha. That's unintentionally funny.

Yes it is. I wonder if the original poster realizes the implication of the wording

 

[tsp_gatmog]

im pretty sure Florida takes the cake...

 

[Tarazet]

So having stricter control in who drives means that the US has the worst drivers. A blind man can get a license here in Australia.

There are licensed blind drivers, I believe, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Also, my dad's completely blind in one eye and he's licensed to drive, not even with a handicapped placard...

 

[tsp_gatmog]

There are licensed blind drivers, I believe, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Also, my dad's completely blind in one eye and he's licensed to drive, not even with a handicapped placard...

irony









total

(see: avatar)

 

[Grimlock]

Having observed metro Atlanta drivers for a good chunk of my life, I'm kind of astounded that Georgia doesn't rank higher (or is that lower) on the scale of stupid drivers.

But then again, a lot of folks I've met in metro Atlanta are from the northeastern US.

 

[Tarazet]

irony









total

(see: avatar)

He's blind in the other eye.

 

[Azure Dream]

Northwestern states had the most knowledgeable drivers. In those states, just one to three percent failed the test. Oregon and Washington drivers knew the rules of the road best.

I was just in Washington a few months ago, and I call bull on that. Maybe it was just because of the Redmond/Seattle area I was in, but it was like the entire place had just received a Learner's Permit last week. It was a might bit freaky how many nigh-accidents and stupid acts I witnessed in such a short time. And it's not like they were being bitchy drivers, like NY, it was just some of the most daft driving I think I've ever witnessed.

I'm not saying everyone who has to drive in Washington is bad or an idiot, but calling the state among the "best" is just insane.

 

[Dan]

The unfortunate truth is that people are far better drivers on paper than in real life, and that goes for the whole country.

 

[Jewbacca]

If this was for cities Houston would be number one.
Fucking hell hole :<

 

[olimario]

Houston kicks ass but the traffic does not.

The worst drivers I've seen were in LA. They drive with their horn. As they are swerving through lanes and running red lights, their hand is ALWAYS beating on the horn.

Ugh... Drove me insane.

 

[MetatronM]

As someone who lives in New Jersey, let me tell you something...

I am not the slightest bit surprised that Massachusetts ranks worse than us. There has never been an occasion where I was in the state of Massachusetts and I wasn't nearly slain by a motorist, be it in my car or as a pedestrian. And I lived there for almost a year, so I have quite a bit of Mass experience. :lol


I actually find that New Jerseyans, while not a very friendly bunch, seem to have a much better command of the road than, say, Floridians.

 

[Jewbacca]

Well Oli I live near like the 1960 area of town and everyone here is a soccer mom with a navigator or they just suck and have a 1986 caddy with rims and speakers that cost more than their car... or a civic. but anyways Its just horrible, maybe this is a fresh feeling for me because i had to floor my gas pedal today because some moron mowed into a car behind me.

 

[Mac the KNife]

There is nothing you could throw at a Michigan driver that they couldn't handle. Bad weather, bad roads, construction, traffic, bad drivers, bad vehicles...we've got it all!

 

[Dan]

There is nothing you could throw at a Michigan driver that they couldn't handle. Bad weather, bad roads, construction, traffic, bad drivers, bad vehicles...we've got it all!

God, it's terrible that I've split my 21 years between Michigan and New Jersey, at least when it comes to driving conditions. What a combination.

The worst though, is when that fog rolls up here. No one slows down. It's dangerous as hell and you can't see shit.