The Nation's Worst Drivers

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.

These are the average scores on a 20-question driver's test
administered to more than 5,000 licensed drivers in a survey
commissioned by the GMAC Insurance.

Nation -- 82.7

1. Oregon -- 89.4

2. Washington -- 88.4

3. Iowa -- 87.7

4. Idaho -- 87.5

5. Wyoming -- 87.4

6. Vermont -- 86.6

7. Nebraska -- 86.5

8. Wisconsin -- 86.3

9. Montana -- 86.2

10. West Virginia -- 86.2

11. Minnesota -- 86.1

12. North Dakota -- 85.6

13. North Carolina -- 85.2

14. Indiana -- 85.1

15. Alabama -- 84.7

15. Virginia -- 84.7

15. Nevada -- 84.7

16 Missouri -- 84.7

19. Ohio -- 84.3

19. South Dakota -- 84.3

21. Colorado -- 84.2

22. Kansas -- 84.0

23. Michigan -- 83.8

24. New Hampshire -- 83.7

25. Tennessee -- 83.4

26. Maine -- 83.2

27. Arkansas -- 83.1

27. South Carolina -- 83.1

29. Georgia -- 82.9

29. New Mexico -- 82.9

31. Oklahoma -- 82.8

32. Texas -- 82.7

33. Utah -- 82.6

33. Arizona -- 82.6

35. Mississippi -- 82.5

35. Delaware -- 82.5

35. Kentucky -- 82.5

38. Pennsylvania -- 82.1

39. Louisiana -- 81.7

40. Illinois -- 81.6

41. Florida -- 81.1

42. Connecticut -- 80.9

43. California -- 80.4

44. Maryland -- 79.8

44. Washington, D.C, -- 79.8

44. New York -- 79.8

47. New Jersey -- 78.3

48. Massachusetts -- 77.2

49. Rhode Island -- 77.0

Anyone agree with the rankings?

Patrick
'93 Cobra

On 27 May 2005 19:58:52 -0700, wrote:

>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.
>
>These are the average scores on a 20-question driver's test
>administered to more than 5,000 licensed drivers in a survey
>commissioned by the GMAC Insurance.
>
>Nation -- 82.7
>
>1. Oregon -- 89.4
>
>2. Washington -- 88.4
>
>3. Iowa -- 87.7
>
>4. Idaho -- 87.5
>
>5. Wyoming -- 87.4
>
>6. Vermont -- 86.6
>
>7. Nebraska -- 86.5
>
>8. Wisconsin -- 86.3
>
>9. Montana -- 86.2
>
>10. West Virginia -- 86.2
>
>11. Minnesota -- 86.1
>
>12. North Dakota -- 85.6
>
>13. North Carolina -- 85.2
>
>14. Indiana -- 85.1
>
>15. Alabama -- 84.7
>
>15. Virginia -- 84.7
>
>15. Nevada -- 84.7
>
>16 Missouri -- 84.7
>
>19. Ohio -- 84.3
>
>19. South Dakota -- 84.3
>
>21. Colorado -- 84.2
>
>22. Kansas -- 84.0
>
>23. Michigan -- 83.8
>
>24. New Hampshire -- 83.7
>
>25. Tennessee -- 83.4
>
>26. Maine -- 83.2
>
>27. Arkansas -- 83.1
>
>27. South Carolina -- 83.1
>
>29. Georgia -- 82.9
>
>29. New Mexico -- 82.9
>
>31. Oklahoma -- 82.8
>
>32. Texas -- 82.7
>
>33. Utah -- 82.6
>
>33. Arizona -- 82.6
>
>35. Mississippi -- 82.5
>
>35. Delaware -- 82.5
>
>35. Kentucky -- 82.5
>
>38. Pennsylvania -- 82.1
>
>39. Louisiana -- 81.7
>
>40. Illinois -- 81.6
>
>41. Florida -- 81.1
>
>42. Connecticut -- 80.9
>
>43. California -- 80.4
>
>44. Maryland -- 79.8
>
>44. Washington, D.C, -- 79.8
>
>44. New York -- 79.8
>
>47. New Jersey -- 78.3
>
>48. Massachusetts -- 77.2
>
>49. Rhode Island -- 77.0
>
>Anyone agree with the rankings?
>
>Patrick
>'93 Cobra

most yankees arent to smart

hurc ast

What's to agree or disagree with? Were they all given the exact same
test? And did the rules they were tested on apply equally in every
state? Since the laws can vary considerably from state to state, some
of those tested may have been responding as if to a test from their
own state. This would throw off the results. If the test was based on
procedures which are the same in every state, then the results would
be closer to reality.

On 27 May 2005 19:58:52 -0700, wrote:

>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.
>

Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16

> 1. Oregon -- 89.4
>
> 2. Washington -- 88.4
>
> 3. Iowa -- 87.7
>
> 4. Idaho -- 87.5
>
> 5. Wyoming -- 87.4
>
> 6. Vermont -- 86.6
>
> 7. Nebraska -- 86.5
>
> 8. Wisconsin -- 86.3
>
> 9. Montana -- 86.2
>
> 10. West Virginia -- 86.2
>
> 11. Minnesota -- 86.1
>
> 12. North Dakota -- 85.6
>
> 13. North Carolina -- 85.2
>
> 14. Indiana -- 85.1
>
> 15. Alabama -- 84.7
>
> 15. Virginia -- 84.7
>
> 15. Nevada -- 84.7
>
> 16 Missouri -- 84.7
>
> 19. Ohio -- 84.3
>
> 19. South Dakota -- 84.3
>
> 21. Colorado -- 84.2
>
> 22. Kansas -- 84.0
>
> 23. Michigan -- 83.8
>
> 24. New Hampshire -- 83.7
>
> 25. Tennessee -- 83.4
>
> 26. Maine -- 83.2
>
> 27. Arkansas -- 83.1
>
> 27. South Carolina -- 83.1
>
> 29. Georgia -- 82.9
>
> 29. New Mexico -- 82.9
>
> 31. Oklahoma -- 82.8
>
> 32. Texas -- 82.7
>
> 33. Utah -- 82.6
>
> 33. Arizona -- 82.6
>
> 35. Mississippi -- 82.5
>
> 35. Delaware -- 82.5
>
> 35. Kentucky -- 82.5
>
> 38. Pennsylvania -- 82.1
>
> 39. Louisiana -- 81.7
>
> 40. Illinois -- 81.6
>
> 41. Florida -- 81.1
>
> 42. Connecticut -- 80.9
>
> 43. California -- 80.4
>
> 44. Maryland -- 79.8
>
> 44. Washington, D.C, -- 79.8
>
> 44. New York -- 79.8
>
> 47. New Jersey -- 78.3
>
> 48. Massachusetts -- 77.2
>
> 49. Rhode Island -- 77.0
>
> Anyone agree with the rankings?
>
> Patrick
> '93 Cobra
>
I went from 43rd to #1! Give me the hard charger trophy :-)
Really though, Oregon drivers seem more



in a hurry to go nowhere. Two lane freeways, bumper to
bumper and people want to get around and in front of me for some
reason? Cali did have lots of gory wrecks. Six lanes both ways, millions
of people from around the world,(except California)look out!

--
Tropic Green Y2K 5 Speed Mustang GT
With Bits and Pieces
http://tinyurl.com/3w3sv

On Fri, 27 May 2005 22:39:12 -0700, Ashton Crusher >
wrote:

>On Fri, 27 May 2005 20:40:26 -0700, Spike > wrote:
>
>>What's to agree or disagree with? Were they all given the exact same
>>test? And did the rules they were tested on apply equally in every
>>state? Since the laws can vary considerably from state to state, some
>>of those tested may have been responding as if to a test from their
>>own state. This would throw off the results. If the test was based on
>>procedures which are the same in every state, then the results would
>>be closer to reality.
>>
>
>Without seeing the actual questions there's no way to really judge
>this. Did they ask meaningful questions like "Should you move to the
>right when it's clear to do so and let traffic approaching from behind
>pass?" Or did they ask "Which is the correct answer to How far
>should your horn be able to be heard, 100 feet, 200 feet, 250 feet, or
>1000 feet?", which is really a pointless question as far as how good a
>driver someone is.
>
a fan clutch in an electric fan
LMFAO

hurc ast

> wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> 48. Massachusetts -- 77.2
>
> 49. Rhode Island -- 77.0
>
> Anyone agree with the rankings?
>

NO WAY!!

How can there possibly be drivers _anywhere_ with less of a clue than in MA?
Somebody obviously fudged the numbers.

There's a reason I prefer the _train_ into Boston.
--
John C.
'03 Cobra Convt.

"NoOption5L" wrote in a message:

> Anyone agree with the rankings?
>
> Patrick
> '93 Cobra

We need to remember that this test was given by GMAC Insurance to (more than
likely) Chevy owners. I'd also like to know the ages of the people tested.
Especially the ones that failed. Personally, I can't see how a written test
about laws, can measure ones ability to drive. That's why they have a
written test and a driving test to get a license. I think they should ride
with a group of people from each state and grade them on their ability to
drive. Then I think the rankings would be fair. We need to also realize that
some people do bad on written tests, but fair better on an oral test.

If you want to witness some real BAD drivers, go to Miami, FLA!!! Down
there, they think the first one to an intersection, and blows their horn,
has the right a way! When I lived and worked down there, I seen a ton of
accidents where someone ran a red light and t-boned another car. The person
causing the accident would always say, "But I blew my horn first!" One time
I was sitting in the left turn lane, with my left turn signal on, and a kid
rear ended me, cause he was looking over at his passenger and talking to
him. At the very last second, he happened to look forward and see me, and
slammed on the brakes! Thank GOD the speed limit was only 35!!!

Gary

That's what I asked..... : )

On Fri, 27 May 2005 22:39:12 -0700, Ashton Crusher >
wrote:

>On Fri, 27 May 2005 20:40:26 -0700, Spike > wrote:
>
>>What's to agree or disagree with? Were they all given the exact same
>>test? And did the rules they were tested on apply equally in every
>>state? Since the laws can vary considerably from state to state, some
>>of those tested may have been responding as if to a test from their
>>own state. This would throw off the results. If the test was based on
>>procedures which are the same in every state, then the results would
>>be closer to reality.
>>
>
>Without seeing the actual questions there's no way to really judge
>this. Did they ask meaningful questions like "Should you move to the
>right when it's clear to do so and let traffic approaching from behind
>pass?" Or did they ask "Which is the correct answer to How far
>should your horn be able to be heard, 100 feet, 200 feet, 250 feet, or
>1000 feet?", which is really a pointless question as far as how good a
>driver someone is.
>
>
>

Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16

Maybe it was tourist season and they set up the question booth at a
roadside rest area near Cape Cod.

On Sat, 28 May 2005 12:09:30 GMT, "John C." > wrote:

>
> wrote in message
roups.com...
>>
>> 48. Massachusetts -- 77.2
>>
>> 49. Rhode Island -- 77.0
>>
>> Anyone agree with the rankings?
>>
>
>NO WAY!!
>
>How can there possibly be drivers _anywhere_ with less of a clue than in MA?
>Somebody obviously fudged the numbers.
>
>There's a reason I prefer the _train_ into Boston.

Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16

Some shows like 60 Minutes have done that with teen drivers. Scary!
But, when you think that most of us were teen drivers and survived...
no so scary.

On Sat, 28 May 2005 15:13:12 GMT, "GEB" > wrote:

>"NoOption5L" wrote in a message:
>
>> Anyone agree with the rankings?
>>
>> Patrick
>> '93 Cobra
>
>We need to remember that this test was given by GMAC Insurance to (more than
>likely) Chevy owners. I'd also like to know the ages of the people tested.
>Especially the ones that failed. Personally, I can't see how a written test
>about laws, can measure ones ability to drive. That's why they have a
>written test and a driving test to get a license. I think they should ride
>with a group of people from each state and grade them on their ability to
>drive. Then I think the rankings would be fair. We need to also realize that
>some people do bad on written tests, but fair better on an oral test.
>
>If you want to witness some real BAD drivers, go to Miami, FLA!!! Down
>there, they think the first one to an intersection, and blows their horn,
>has the right a way! When I lived and worked down there, I seen a ton of
>accidents where someone ran a red light and t-boned another car. The person
>causing the accident would always say, "But I blew my horn first!" One time
>I was sitting in the left turn lane, with my left turn signal on, and a kid
>rear ended me, cause he was looking over at his passenger and talking to
>him. At the very last second, he happened to look forward and see me, and
>slammed on the brakes! Thank GOD the speed limit was only 35!!!
>
>Gary
>

Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16