JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Louisville, Ky., has the seventh worst drivers among the 50 largest cities in the U.S,, according to Forbes Advisor, which assessed the data in response to a 10% increase in fatal car accidents across the country from 2020 to 2022.
Louisville ranked poorly for distracted driving, according to Forbes Advisor. Dangerous drivers put everyone at greater risk when they get behind the wheel.
So, which cities have the worst drivers? Forbes Advisor compared the 50 most populated U.S. cities across five key metrics. Our analysis identifies the cities where drivers engage in the most hazardous behavior that threatens public safety.
Key Takeaways
The data collected and analyzed reveals clear trends about which cities have the most dangerous drivers.
- Albuquerque, New Mexico, tops the list of cities with the worst drivers, followed by Memphis, Tennessee; Detroit, Michigan; Tucson, Arizona; and Kansas City, Missouri.
- Three of the top 15 cities with the worst drivers are located in Texas, including Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio.
- Three of the top 10 cities with the best drivers are located in California, including San Francisco, Oakland and San Diego.
- Memphis, Tennessee has the highest number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (7.5 per 100,000 city residents) and Albuquerque has the highest number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver (5.42 per 100,000 city residents).
Top 10 Cities With The Worst Drivers
1. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque’s score: 100 out of 100
Albuquerque, New Mexico is the most dangerous city in America to drive in, with high incidents of fatal car accidents, drunk drivers and distracted drivers.
- Albuquerque has the highest number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver (5.42 per 100,000 city residents).
- It ranks third highest for the total number of fatal car accidents (17.11 per 100,000 city residents).
- Albuquerque reports the third highest number of people killed in fatal crashes (18.11 per 100,000 city residents).
- The city holds the fifth-highest spot for the number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (5.56 per 100,000 city residents).
- Albuquerque also has the sixth highest number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (4.67 per 100,000 city residents).
2. Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis’ score: 98.51 out of 100
Memphis trails closely behind Albuquerque for dangerous driving behavior. Its key statistics include:
- Memphis has the highest total number of fatal car accidents (​​24.18 per 100,000 city residents).
- It has the highest number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (7.5 per 100,000 city residents).
- Memphis reports the highest number of people killed in fatal crashes (25.96 per 100,000 city residents).
- It ranks eighth highest for fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver (1.35 per 100,000 city residents).
3. Detroit, Michigan
Detroit’s score: 94.97 out of 100
Detroit has a high number of fatal car crash victims. The city ranked second highest in these metrics:
- The total number of fatal car accidents (19.76 per 100,000 city residents).
- The number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (6.54 per 100,000 city residents).
- The number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (6.8 per 100,000 city residents).
- The number of people killed in fatal crashes (21.47 per 100,000 city residents).
4. Tucson, Arizona
Tucson’s score: 93.02 out of 100
Tucson’s roads have many dangerous drivers, and the city ranked poorly in the following categories:
- Tucson ranks fourth highest for the total number of fatal car accidents (16.21 per 100,000 city residents).
- It also ranks fourth highest for the number of people killed in fatal crashes (17.02 per 100,000 city residents).
- Tucson has the sixth highest number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (4.94 per 100,000 city residents).
- The city holds the 10th highest spot for the number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (4.35 per 100,000 city residents).
- Tucson reports the 10th highest number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver (1.1 per 100,000 city residents).
5. Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City’s score: 91.19 out of 100
Out of all cities analyzed, Kansas City, Missouri has the highest number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (7.07 per 100,000 city residents):
- Kansas City ranks fourth highest for its number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (5.34 per 100,000 city residents).
- It has the fifth highest total number of fatal car accidents (15.71 per 100,000 city residents).
- Kansas City reports the fifth highest number of people killed in fatal crashes (16.85 per 100,000 city residents).
6. Dallas, Texas
Dallas’ score: 90.97 out of 100
Dallas follows closely behind Kansas City, scoring just 0.22 points lower in our ranking index. The city also:
- Has the third highest number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (6.25 per 100,000 city residents).
- Ranks fourth highest for its number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (5.69 per 100,000 city residents).
- Reports the seventh highest total number of fatal car accidents (14.61 per 100,000 city residents).
- Has the seventh highest number of people killed in fatal crashes (15.77 per 100,000 city residents).
7. Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville’s score: 83.88 out of 100
Louisville isn’t just home to the Kentucky Derby—it’s also home to some of the worst drivers in America:
- Louisville reports the fifth highest number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver (1.47 per 100,000 city residents).
- It has the ninth highest total number of fatal car accidents (14.25 per 100,000 city residents).
- Louisville ranks 10th highest for the number of people killed in fatal crashes (14.99 per 100,000 city residents).
8. Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix’s score: 80.65 out of 100
Phoenix is the second-most dangerous city for drivers in Arizona, behind Tucson:
- Phoenix has the 10th highest number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (3.86 per 100,000 city residents).
- Phoenix ranks 11th highest for the total number of fatal car accidents (13.85 per 100,000 city residents).
- It also ranks 11th highest for the number of people killed in fatal crashes (14.59 per 100,000 city residents).
9. Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth’s score: 78.03 out of 100
Fort Worth is another Texas city with some of the worst drivers in the country, just three spots behind Dallas:
- Fort Worth reports the fifth highest number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (4.7 per 100,000 city residents).
- It has the 11th highest number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver (0.92 per 100,000 city residents).
- The city also has the 12th highest number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (3.68 per 100,000 city residents).
10. Tampa, Florida
Tampa’s score: 77.13 out of 100
Coming in 10th place for cities with the worst drivers is Tampa. Its key metrics include:
- Tampa reports the eighth highest total number of fatal car accidents (14.47 per 100,000 city residents).
- The city has the ninth highest number of people killed in fatal crashes (15.42 per 100,000 city residents).
- Tampa also has the 14th highest number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver (0.75 per 100,000 city residents).
Dangerous Driving Impacts Insurance Rates
Your behavior behind the wheel directly impacts how much you pay for car insurance. Insurance companies carefully analyze data on your accident rates, traffic violations and claims history to determine your risk level and calculate your premium.
More dangerous driving leads to increased risk and higher insurance rates. Getting speeding tickets, running red lights, texting while driving and other reckless behaviors all raise your chances of accidents and damage claims. This makes you a greater liability in the eyes of insurers.
Ultimately, rates by state vary and the cost of car insurance coverage will remain high if you exhibit irresponsible driving habits. Maintaining a safe, accident-free record is the best way to secure the cheapest car insurance over the long term. Your premiums will reflect your risk level based on driving behavior.
To get the best car insurance rates, you’ll need a clean driving record with minimal violations and accidents. Always compare car insurance quotes by shopping around before committing to a policy.
