How New Jersey Drivers Rates Among Other States

Anyone who drives on the major highways in New Jersey knows that people are always in a rush. Cars go zooming past at speeds way above the limit. If you look ahead, it appears cars are changing in and out of lanes like ping-pong balls across the table. It feels like everyone's in their little bubble and no one is paying attention to others on the road.

One thing that gets on my nerves is trying to change lanes. You would think when someone sees your blinker on it would signal that you need to get over, perhaps maybe you need to exit, right? But here in New Jersey, it seems like when they see your blinker they speed up so you don't get in front of them. It's frustrating and unsafe.

I saw this survey from Munley Law that compared different states based on things like fatal crashes, DUI arrests, and pedestrian fatalities. Turns out, the Northeast, including us Jersey folks, and even Hawaii, have the lowest traffic incident rates. New Jersey drivers are considered #2 on the list of best drivers, right behind New York!

According to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, the number of pedestrians killed in traffic accidents is at a record high. Drunk driving is causing more fatalities than ever before. Drunk driving is not just here in Jersey, it's a nationwide issue. The U.S. has fallen behind other developed countries when it comes to preventing motor vehicle fatalities, which is really concerning.

While New York wasn’t number one in any single category, its consistently high performance across multiple metrics placed it in the first place. New York had the second-lowest rate of overall traffic fatalities in 2023, and the third-lowest number of drunk driving fatal crashes. The state also scored above average in all the other categories in our ranking.

New Jersey was also an all-rounder. It tied with New York for the 3rd lowest rate of drunk driving fatal crashes in the country, had the 4th lowest rate of speeding-related fatal crashes and got above-average scores in all other categories.

Hawaii had low rates of drug use disorder and drunk driving crashes, and the third lowest rate of traffic fatalities in the U.S. The state also had the second-highest rate of observed seatbelt use, with 95.9% of drivers choosing to wear their seatbelts.

New Mexico didn’t have the worst score in any single category, but it was consistently near the bottom in most of them, which is how it got the worst overall score. The state had the second-highest rate of speeding-related fatal crashes, the third-highest rate of drunk-driving fatal crashes and the third-highest rate of pedestrians and cyclists killed by motor vehicles. New Mexico also had the second-highest percentage of uninsured drivers in the country.

Mississippi had the second-highest rate of motor vehicle fatalities and the third-highest percentage of uninsured drivers. The state scored below average in most other categories, which got it our second-worst overall score.

Wyoming had the highest rate of overall motor vehicle fatalities in the U.S. as well as the highest rate of speeding-related fatal crashes in 2022. However, pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents were only 1.38, well below the national average of 2.26. Wyoming also had the fewest uninsured drivers in the U.S., at only 5.9%.

In case you are wondering, that cover photo is one I took on RT. 78 one morning on my way to work! As I'm driving in the fast lane, there is a car headed toward me. Just another day of commuting in New Jersey! -Maryann Morgan

You're cruising down the road, wind in your hair, and the stereo cranked up to your favorite song. Life couldn't be better, right? Well, hold on, because here come those annoying drivers determined to ruin your joyride. From the oblivious ones who think turn signals are optional, to the speedsters weaving through traffic like they're in a Fast and Furious movie. There's no shortage of infuriating things they do. It's like they have a secret handbook on how to push our buttons.

You've probably dealt with tons of annoying drivers over the years. While the list of annoying drivers could go on, there are eight examples that stand out as the worst of the worst. The next time you find yourself near an annoying driver, take a deep breath, and remember that patience is a virtue.

Does the car's brand make a driver more annoying? A 2021 survey conducted by Moneybarn in the United Kingdom found that BMW owners were widely regarded as the most disliked drivers on the road, with nearly 40 percent of respondents identifying them as the worst and most prone to causing accidents. Audi came in a distant second at 14 percent.

In the United States, Insurify, a car insurance comparison website, released a report on the Rudest Drivers in 2021. To compile the data, their team analyzed over four million applications, where applicants disclosed their car make and model and any driving violations over the past seven years. The results showed that in 2020, BMW drivers were considered the rudest. In 2021, it was Kia Stinger drivers who took the top spot. Audi A4 Allroad drivers ranked as the second rudest, followed by BMW 4-Series drivers.

Ultimately, it is the driver, not the brand of the car, that determines their behavior on the road. While these findings may suggest certain trends, it would be unfair to make blanket assumptions about all drivers of a particular car brand.

Annoying drivers can really test our patience, but it's important to stay cool and drive responsibly. Remember, we're all just trying to get from point A to point B in one piece.

Here are 7 seriously annoying things that other drivers do on the road.

You know the type. They leisurely cruise along in the left lane, seemingly oblivious to the growing line of cars behind them. They show no intention of moving over, despite signs clearly indicating slower traffic should keep right. It's as if they believe they own that lane and everyone else is just passing through.

You're approaching a merging lane, diligently signaling your intention to merge, when suddenly you spot them—the driver who can't seem to commit to either accelerating to merge or slowing down to let you in. They teeter on the edge of indecision, causing a chaotic dance of hesitant maneuvering that disrupts the flow of traffic.

We've all encountered the driver who seemingly has a vendetta against personal space. They ride your bumper with an intensity that could rival a race car driver. Whether they're running late or simply have a persistent need to assert dominance, their tailgating antics create an anxiety-inducing experience.

Honking is meant to be a communication tool, a gentle reminder to draw attention to potential dangers or to express gratitude. However, a special breed of drivers wield their horns like a weapon of mass annoyance. They honk at the slightest inconvenience, from a fraction-of-a-second delay at a green light to a cautious pedestrian exercising their right of way.

We're all aware of the dangers of distracted driving, yet some individuals choose to engage in activities outside the confines of a moving vehicle. From applying makeup and eating full meals to scrolling through social media or engaging in animated conversations, these drivers treat their cars as mobile living rooms. Their lack of focus puts us all at risk, and we can't help but wonder if they have forgotten that driving requires undivided attention.

The left lane, aka the fast lane, is meant for, well, going fast. But there's always that one driver who decides to take a leisurely Sunday drive right there, blocking everyone else behind them. This forces other drivers to undertake risky maneuvers to overtake them, leading to frustration and potentially dangerous situations.

Traffic rules exist for a reason. To maintain order, safety, and efficiency on the roads. However, some drivers seemingly view these rules as mere suggestions. They run red lights, ignore stop signs, and make illegal U-turns with complete disregard for the potential consequences. Their actions create chaos and put everyone around them at risk.

It's like these drivers believe that turn signals are optional car accessories. They change lanes or make turns without a single blinker in sight, leaving the rest of us to play mind readers and guess their next move.