Kansas drivers are some of the worst in the country, new study says. Here’s why
A new national study confirms what many Wichita area residents have been saying (or yelling) for a while now: The state has some of the worst drivers in the country.
Personal finance publication Forbes Advisor compared all 50 states across key safety metrics, like the total number of fatal car accidents and number of DUI arrests per 100,000 licensed drivers, and put Kansas in the top 10 for the worst drivers in the United States.
Kansas was named the eighth worst in the country, according to Forbes.
What led to Kansas’ rankings?
Forbes Advisor ranked all states on a scale of 100, using the average from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s data from 2019 to 2021. The rankings looked at each state’s metrics per 100,000 drivers.
Kansas finished with a score of 86.63. The state has the second highest number of fatal car crashes in Kansas due to drivers disobeying traffic signs, signals or a traffic officer, Forbes Advisor said.
Other metrics in Kansas revealed that:
- Kansas also ranks No. 3 for the number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver, like someone texting.
- It has the third most number of fatal car accidents involving a drowsy driver.
Five of the top 10 states with the worst drivers are in the South, including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kentucky and Mississippi. New Mexico has the worst drivers in the United States, while Massachusetts has the best, according to Forbes.
Need help navigating Kansas roads, laws, signs and more? Check out our complete guide to Kansas traffic rules.
