North Carolina Ranked No. 6 Worst Driving State in America, Study Reveals

Charlotte Drivers, It’s Time for a Reality Check!

Hey there, Charlotte! Buckle up because we’ve got some surprising news that might just make you double-check your driving habits. According to a recent study by LendingTree, our beloved state of North Carolina has just received a rather dubious honor—it’s now ranked as the No. 6 Worst Driving State in America! Ouch!

What’s Behind The Ranking?

So, how did North Carolina end up in this unfortunate ranking? The data stems from a whopping number of insurance inquiries made between November 5, 2023, to November 4, 2024. That’s a lot of numbers! The study assessed driving incidents per 1,000 drivers to figure out where the best and worst drivers reside. And folks, it looks like we need to step up our game because N.C. recorded an alarming 39.6 incidents per 1,000 drivers!

Who’s at the Top?

If you’re wondering who can boast of being the best drivers, look no further than Arkansas! This state is cruising smoothly with only 14.7 driving incidents per 1,000 drivers. Talk about being the poster child for safe driving! It seems our friends in Arkansas are taking the road way more cautiously than we are here in N.C.!

Not All Categories Are Equal

Let’s dig a little deeper into the findings. Interestingly, North Carolina didn’t make it into the top five for almost any major driving incident category—except one. Drumroll, please… DUIs! That’s right, we scored the No. 3 Worst State for DUIs with 2.9 DUIs per 1,000 drivers. Yikes! Meanwhile, Illinois is waving its safe driving flag proudly as the best with only 0.4 DUIs per 1,000 drivers.

Collisions on the Rise

But wait, there’s more! While we may not be in the top five for several categories, we just barely missed the cut for the highest collision rate, snagging the No. 6 spot with 26.4 crashes per 1,000 drivers. Once again, Arkansas shows us how it’s done, managing to stay at the bottom of the list with only 8.2 crashes per 1,000 drivers.

What Does This Mean for Us?

Now, this isn’t just a report to tuck away and forget about. It’s a wake-up call for everyone on the road—from that morning commute to weekend adventures. With incidents and DUIs still high, it’s essential to prioritize safe driving practices. That means hands on the wheel, no texting, and absolutely no drinking and driving!

It’s Time to Drive Smart!

As we reflect on these ratings, it’s vital we come together as a community to promote safer driving behaviors. Whether it’s taking a little extra time to watch for pedestrians, not speeding through neighborhoods, or making sure to buckle up, every little bit counts!

So Charlotte, let’s flip the script on North Carolina’s driving reputation. Together, we can make our streets safer, one trip at a time. Drive smart and be safe out there!