Let’s face it—complaining about bad drivers is practically a national pastime. Whether you’re dodging lane-weavers on I-25 or witnessing full stops at green lights, it’s easy to believe your state has the worst offenders. But when it comes to facts over feelings, we have to turn to the data.
LendingTree’s latest report analyzed millions of QuoteWizard insurance inquiries to determine where the country’s best—and worst—drivers actually live. And here’s some good news: Colorado is no longer near the top of the “worst drivers” list. In fact, we’ve moved significantly down the rankings and now sit at No. 33 out of 50 for driving incidents.
Let’s break down what this means for Coloradans, and how we compare nationwide.
How LendingTree Determined Driver Rankings
This year’s rankings were based on the number of reported incidents per 1,000 drivers, including:
- Accidents
- DUIs
- Speeding-related violations
- General citations (like texting while driving or failure to yield)
The higher the incident rate, the worse the ranking. The study covered the period from November 5, 2023 to November 4, 2024.
Who Topped the List for the Worst Drivers?
According to the report, the worst drivers in the country hail from:
- Massachusetts – 61.1 incidents per 1,000 drivers
- Rhode Island – 60.6
- California – 55.0
- District of Columbia – 54.6
- New Jersey – 45.8
Massachusetts had the highest accident rate (44.4 per 1,000 drivers), while D.C. took the lead in DUIs (3.6 per 1,000). North Dakota made its mark with the highest speeding-related incident rate (8.1).
The Best Drivers in the U.S.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Arkansas claimed the top spot with only 14.7 incidents per 1,000 drivers. Rounding out the top five were:
- Michigan – 15.3
- Vermont – 15.5
- Kentucky – 15.8
- Oklahoma – 15.9
These states also had some of the lowest accident, DUI, and speeding rates in the country.
Colorado’s Comeback: Where We Rank Now
Historically, Colorado has been ranked in one of the worst spots, coming in as 13th in 2024 and 3rd in 2020. But this year, things are looking up.
According to LendingTree’s 2024 data:
- Colorado ranks 33rd in the nation for driver safety, with 24.5 driving incidents per 1,000 drivers.
- We have a DUI rate of 1.0 per 1,000 drivers, placing us at #32 for DUIs—meaning we’re doing better than two-thirds of the country.
- For speeding-related incidents, Colorado ranks 13th, with 4.2 incidents per 1,000 drivers. There’s still room to improve, but it’s a notable drop from last year’s figures.
In other words: we’re no longer a bottom-tier state when it comes to road safety.
Colorado Ranks #3 for Road Rage in 2025
While we may be improving overall when it comes to traffic safety, Colorado drivers are still struggling to keep their cool behind the wheel. According to a recent ConsumerAffairs report, Colorado ranks third in the nation for road rage—up from No. 4 the previous year.
The report analyzed several alarming factors, including:
- Deadly crashes caused by aggressive or careless driving
- Violations tied to dangerous driving behaviors
- Traffic incidents involving firearms
Unfortunately, Colorado stood out in all three categories, especially when it came to gun-related road rage incidents. Even more concerning? In 2023, 43.5% of all fatal crashes in Colorado involved some form of aggressive or careless driving.
Whether it’s tailgating, brake-checking, weaving through traffic, or worse—road rage isn’t just frustrating; it’s fatal. While statewide crash rates are trending downward, this uptick in hostile driving behavior reminds us there’s still significant work to do when it comes to driver temperament and emotional control on the road.
What This Means for Your Car Insurance
According to Rob Bhatt, a licensed insurance expert with LendingTree, driving incidents don’t just impact safety—they affect your wallet too.
“A speeding ticket raises car insurance rates by an average of 23% nationwide,” says Bhatt.
Even though we’re improving in the rankings, Colorado’s insurance rates are still influenced by regional crash data. If you live in a city with a higher incident rate—like Denver or Colorado Springs—you might still pay more than someone in a quieter part of the state.
How to Protect Yourself (and Your Wallet)
Bad drivers don’t discriminate by zip code, so here are a few tips to protect yourself:
- Don’t skimp on coverage: Raising your deductible is smarter than lowering your limits.
- Add uninsured motorist coverage: Especially valuable if you’re hit by someone with no insurance.
- Review your policy annually: Shopping around can often save you hundreds, even if you have a clean record.
Final Thoughts: Colorado’s Heading in the Right Direction
While we still see more than a few reckless lane changes and late-night speed demons, Colorado drivers are statistically getting better. With a notable drop in DUI and accident rates, we’re trending toward safer roads and—hopefully—lower insurance premiums.
Contact Our Colorado Springs Car Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence behind the wheel, you may be entitled to compensation. At Schofield & Green Law Firm, we fight for the justice and financial support you deserve.
Call us at (719) 694-8515 or fill out the contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.
