RVers Beware, These 5 States Have The Worst Drivers
Driving an RV is challenging. Bad drivers make it even harder!
Scientifically, studies prove which states have the worst drivers. Today we’re using the recently published report from Smart Assent to let you know what states to avoid on your RV vacation.
Let’s dive in.
How Does Smart Asset Measure Bad Drivers?
The process Smart Asset uses to measure bad drivers is relatively simple. They use four key data-points, including:
- percentage of drivers who are insured
- number of driving under the influence (DUI) arrests per 1,000 drivers
- number of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles driven
- how often residents google terms like “traffic ticket” or “speeding ticket.”
With that data, you may want to reroute your travel plan.
Here are the worst states for bad drivers.
#5 California
It comes as no surprise that California is home to bad drivers. The bustling metropolitan areas are loaded with fast drivers, swerving in and out of the lanes.
Additionally, for RV travelers, California is a state of extremes. Death Valley gets hot enough to damage your engine. We only recommend these Death Valley Camping Spots during cooler seasons.
The state’s steep mountain passes can be hard to navigate and, crowded six-lane interstates are an RVers nightmare.
When it comes to DUIs, Smart Asset found, “It has the 12th-highest number of DUI arrests per 1,000 drivers, at 4.71.”
#4 Florida
Bad drivers aren’t limited to the west coast. Smart Asset’s study found Florida is home to many bad drivers.
Having recently RVed through Florida, we can vouch that there are many bad drivers.
Florida has a lot of large cities to navigate and small coastal communities with high tourist traffic.
To that point, we can’t outwardly blame Floridians as the complete source of bad drivers. The snowbirds probably add to the cause!
Smart Asset found that Florida is home to the highest percentage of uninsured drivers.
#3 Tennessee
Are you considering a trip to the Smoky Mountains? You may want to consider visiting them in North Carolina!
Tennessee ranks #3 on Smart Asset’s worst driver report.
To be fair, the mountainous roads can be quite challenging to drive. That doesn’t explain why 20% of Tennesseans are uninsured, however.
Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge are two popular RV destinations in the Volunteer State. If you’re brave enough to visit, these are the best nearby campgrounds.
#2 Nevada
Nevada’s small population doesn’t mean the drivers are better! Despite the wide-open spaces in Nevada, it ranks #2 in Smart Asset’s report.
Speeding tickets, auto fatalities, and DUIs abound.
Fortunately, for RVers, there’s not an awful lot to see in Nevada.
#1 Mississippi
According to Smart Asset, Mississippi has the second-highest rate of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles driven, at 1.63. Additionally, almost 25% of the state’s drivers are uninsured.
This is a real bummer if you want to explore the Natchez Trace.
Fortunately, the National Historic Highway has a low speed-limit and limited traffic.
We recommend spending a night in your RV at the Natchez Visitors Center. The camping is free, and it’s within walking distance to the historic downtown.
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