Study: Top 10 Worst Cities for Drivers in America

Are you aware of the risks your fleet drivers face on the road? A new study from Real Estate Witch has revealed the cities with the worst drivers in America, and it's crucial that you're informed to keep your drivers safe.

According to the report, although 74% of Americans say current speed limits are fair, 50% say they’ve gotten a speeding ticket and 67% say they get irritated when stuck behind a slow driver.

Here are the top 10 worst cities for drivers in America in 2024:

1. Jacksonville, Florida
2. Tampa, Florida
3. Memphis, Tennessee
4. Orlando, Florida
5. Miami, Florida
6. Houston, Texas
7. San Bernardino, California
8. St. Louis, Missouri
9. Raleigh, North Carolina
10. Nashville, Tennessee

The study analyzed the 50 most populous U.S. metros based on several weighted metrics, including average annual traffic fatalities per 100,000 residents, average annual alcohol-related traffic fatalities per 100,000 residents, bicyclist fatalities by motorists per 100,000 residents, percentage of uninsured drivers in the state, average annual vehicle insurance premiums in the state, days of precipitation per year, Allstate’s best drivers rank, and Google Trends for “DUI,” “drunk driving,” “speeding,” “traffic ticket,” and “car accident.”

Digging into the Worst & Best Driver Data

As a commercial work truck fleet manager, it's essential to understand the regions your llight-duty and medium-duty truck drivers are in and the potential dangers they may face on the road. It's crucial to provide fleet drivers with the appropriate training, safety equipment, and resources to ensure they stay safe while driving.

Stay informed and keep your drivers safe. A few highlights from the study included: 

• For the second year in a row, Jacksonville has the worst drivers in America, while New York City has the best.
• Florida is the worst state for drivers, with all four major metros — Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, and Miami — ranking in the top 10 worst cities for drivers. 
• Jacksonville has the highest number of alcohol-related deaths for the second year in a row, with 3.8 per 100,000 residents — 58% more than the average city.
• Memphis has 2x the number of annual driving deaths as the average city, with 18.8 per 100,000 residents — the most among all 50 cities studied. 
• Tampa has the most fatal collisions between drivers and cyclists, with 1.3 per 100,000 residents — 5x more than the studied-city average (0.24). 
• Detroit motorists pay the highest annual auto insurance premiums, which cost $4,726. With sky-high insurance rates, 25% of drivers in Detroit are uninsured. 
• New York City has the fewest annual traffic fatalities (4.1) and drunk driving deaths (0.8) per 100,000 residents among all 50 cities studied.