Where Does Your City Rank?
Have you ever been cut off so badly that you questioned humanity? It happens. Some cities make driving feel like an obstacle course, with drivers who seem to throw the rules out the window. Meanwhile, others seem to have cracked the code, offering smooth, safe roads where courtesy reigns. Planning a road trip or thinking about moving? First, take a look at the cities where driving can be a nightmare.
1. Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque drivers take the crown for chaos on wheels. You’ll find sudden stops, screen-gazing distractions, and racers in disguise. It’s like every street doubles as a video game level. Defensive driving here is not optional; it’s a survival strategy.
2. Baton Rouge, LA
This city mixes Southern charm with driving habits that raise eyebrows. Drivers accelerate unpredictably and often treat red lights like suggestions. Tailgating here feels personal. Statistically, it’s a hotspot for phone use behind the wheel. Steer clear during rush hour!
formulanone from Huntsville, United States on Wikimedia
3. Murrieta/Temecula/Menifee, CA
In this stretch of suburban California, frequent congestion along I-15 and I-215 keeps brake lights flashing, especially during rush hour. Frequent hard braking makes every commute challenging. If you are merging on highways, good luck because drivers often treat it like a free-for-all, where it’s every car for itself.
4. Fresno, CA
Picture wide roads, impatient drivers, and heavy feet on the gas. Fresno’s drivers are infamous for abrupt stops and risky phone use. The fast lane turns into a free-for-all. Even pedestrians hesitate to cross with confidence. It’s a rodeo on asphalt.
5. Stockton, CA
One word: aggressive. Stockton’s streets host more drama than a soap opera, from darting between lanes to flooring it at yellow lights. High-speed antics dominate daily traffic, turning routine drives into adrenaline-fueled missions. Keep your wits sharp here.
6. Birmingham, AL
Driving in Birmingham often feels like a contest. Intersections witness reckless turns, and back roads become drag strips. It’s not uncommon to see drivers multitasking through traffic with coffee in one hand and a phone in the other.
7. Memphis, TN
Speeders, alcohol abusers, and risk-takers define Memphis traffic. Many disregard limits entirely, using highways as their racetracks. The city’s high fatality rates echo its dangerous road behavior. One missed glance, and it could turn deadly.
8. Dallas, TX
With traffic consistently heavy at all hours, drivers tend to find themselves in tight situations. On top of that, the city ranks high for fatal crashes involving drunk drivers. Talk about a troubling mix of congestion and reckless behavior behind the wheel!
9. Kansas City, KS
Kansas has the second-highest rate of deadly car crashes in the state, with many of these tragedies linked to drivers disregarding traffic signs or officers, as reported by Forbes Advisor. Additionally, the state ranks third in fatal accidents involving distracted driving, such as texting behind the wheel.
10. Tucson, AZ
Long, unwinding desert roads lure drivers into a false sense of serenity to the point of taking out their phones while driving. For this reason, Tucson locals often brake late and swerve wide. Tourists find it baffling, and locals have grown oddly used to it.
Now, to the good news: Not every city feels like a driving nightmare. In some places, drivers are so courteous and disciplined that it makes you wonder if you have stumbled into a parallel universe. Ready to see who’s cruising smoothly? Let’s take a look.
1. New York, NY
Despite the chaos and honking, New York surprisingly ranks among the top five for best drivers, according to a 2024 Forbes Advisor report. With strong driving laws and a focus on public safety, New Yorkers handle dense traffic better than most.
2. Seattle, WA
Seattle’s tech crowd tackles roads like algorithms by being predictable and calculated. There’s high awareness and rare recklessness. Despite the drizzle, you’ll see consistent turn signals and responsible merging. Even the cyclists get their space, and that’s saying something.
Geoff Peters from Vancouver, BC, Canada on Wikimedia
3. Boston, MA
Boston drivers prioritize safety, supported by the city's Vision Zero policy. With public education campaigns and apps promoting safe driving, people cautiously maneuver the city's heavy traffic. The slower pace helps reduce serious accidents, which is why Boston has a lower rate of traffic deaths.
4. Washington, D.C.
Surprisingly, D.C. ranks high for responsible drivers. Congestion has trained locals to follow the rules like clockwork. There’s limited room for error, so you’ll see tight discipline and strategic movement. They’ve adapted to the chaos, and that works wonders.
5. Raleigh, NC
Raleigh’s reputation for low accident rates speaks volumes about the driving culture here. Thanks to well-planned streets and relatively light traffic, drivers in Raleigh enjoy short and smooth commutes, and this makes it an ideal city for safe road use.
6. Detroit, MI
Despite its auto industry legacy, Detroit drivers excel in safety. The city stands out for consistently low accident rates and fewer speeding violations. Locals know how to move through the urban roads without the usual chaos, making it a pleasant city to drive in.
7. San Francisco, CA
Cruising through San Francisco’s busy streets can be challenging, but the residents manage it with grace. They respect traffic laws, which gives San Francisco a solid reputation for responsible driving, according to Forbes. Accidents in this city are surprisingly low despite dense traffic.
Yaroslav Muzychenko on Unsplash
8. Oklahoma City, OK
Known for relatively short commute times and ongoing improvements to well-traveled highways, Oklahoma City offers smooth rides. Traffic is minimal, and this gives people ample room to move. The city’s efficient road system also contributes to the high marks in safe driving and low accident rates.
9. Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis has mastered the art of efficient driving (EverQuote). The city is well-known for its careful drivers who follow traffic laws, making it a safer place to hit the road. High adherence to speed limits and safe driving practices lead to fewer accidents overall.
Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States on Wikimedia
10. Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale ranks high in infrastructure, which means its roads have been designed for efficiency. Additionally, the drivers here are highly conscious of their surroundings, and this results in a city with one of the lowest accident rates in the country.
