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.
How Safe are New Jersey Drivers?
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!
Leading Cause Of Deaths Among Drivers
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.
Survey Finds: States With the Best Drivers
Best Drivers — New York
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.
2nd Best Drivers — New Jersey
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.
3rd Best Drivers — Hawaii
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.
Survey Finds: States With the Worst Drivers
Worst Drivers — New Mexico
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.
2nd Worst Drivers — Mississippi
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.
3rd Worst Drivers — Wyoming
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%.
One Of My Scariest Days Commuting to Work
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
Roadside Frustrations: 8 Most Annoying Habits Of Other Drivers
The Lane Hogger
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.
The Indecisive Merge Master
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.
The Tailgater
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.
The Incessant Honker
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.
The Distracted Doodler
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 Fast Lane Snail
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.
The Traffic Rule Ignorer
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.
The Turn Signal Skippers
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.
