SOURCE: Forbes
In 2022, the incidence of road rage shootings equated to one person being wounded or killed in a road rage incident every 16 hours. Experiencing violent road rage while driving is not uncommon, and studies show that incidences are increasing throughout the country.
In 2022, 413 people were injured in road rage shootings, a 135% increase from 2018. A study showed that in some states, aggressive driving tended to be more common, putting drivers at greater risk when they are behind the wheel.
To determine where states ranked as having the most confrontational drivers, Forbes Advisor conducted a survey of 10,000 licensed drivers and compared all 50 states across nine key metrics.
Arizona sadly earned the title as being ranked with the worst road rage. At the opposite coast, Delaware made the list as having most polite drivers in the nation.
The findings debunk the myth of southern charm. The give of the top 10 states with the most confrontational drivers are in the South, including Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Virginia.
Overall, the findings reported that drivers experienced road rage most frequently on city streets (29.18%), on freeways or highways (26.59%) and in parking lots (14.9%).
Here is the list of the top 10 states with the most confrontational drivers:
1. Arizona
Arizona’s score: 100 out of 100
The Grand Canyon State ranked second worst for the percentage of drivers who have been forced off the road (22.5%) and tied with Oklahoma for having the third highest percentage of drivers who have been tailgated (70.5%).
31.5% of Arizona drivers reported that another driver has exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them, the fifth highest amount in the nation.
Additionally, Arizona ranks sixth worst for both the percentage of drivers who experience road rage very frequently in their home state (31.5%) and the percentage of drivers who have been yelled at, insulted, cursed at, or threatened by another driver (81%).
2. Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s score: 98.46 out of 100
Rhode Island drivers tied with drivers from Alabama and Illinois for being most likely to report that another driver has tried to block their car from changing lanes (63.5%).
Rhode Island drivers were also most likely to report that another driver has yelled at them, insulted them, cursed at them, or made threats (96.5%), and tied with drivers from Texas for being most likely to experience honks of frustration (79%).
Rhode Island drivers were second most likely to report that another driver has exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them (57%) and tied with Texas drivers for being second most likely to experience rude or offensive gestures while driving (73%).
Additionally, Rhode Island drivers were third most likely to report that another driver has cut them off on purpose (62.5%).
3. West Virginia
West Virginia’s score: 97.82 out of 100
West Virginia drivers were most likely in the nation to report that another driver has tailgated their car (77%), made rude or offensive gestures at them (75%), and exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them (61%).
Mountain State drivers also tied with Texas drivers for being most likely to report that another driver has cut them off on purpose (63%).
94.5% of West Virginia drivers have been on the receiving end of insults, curses, and threats from other drivers, the second highest amount in the nation.
West Virginia drivers were also fifth most likely to report that they have been forced off the road by another driver (13.5%) and that another driver has tried to block their car from changing lanes (61.5%).
4. Virginia
Virginia’s score: 96.97 out of 100
Virginia drivers were third most likely to report that another driver has exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them (50.5%), honked at them in frustration (78.5%) and yelled at them, insulted them, cursed at them, or made threats (89.5%).
Drivers in the Old Dominion State tied with Oklahoma drivers for being fourth most likely to report that another driver has cut them off on purpose (59.5%).
Virginia drivers also tied with Missouri drivers for being fifth most likely to experience rude or offensive gestures while driving (67%).
5. Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s score: 96.49 out of 100
60% of Oklahoma drivers said they experience road rage very frequently from other drivers in their home state, the highest amount in the nation.
Sooner State drivers tied with Arizona drivers for being third most likely to report that another driver has tailgated their car (70.5%).
Oklahoma drivers were fourth most likely to report that another driver has forced their car off the road (14%).
Oklahoma drivers also tied with Virginia drivers for being fourth most likely to report that another driver has cut them off on purpose (59.5%).
6. Alabama
Alabama’s score: 96.12 out of 100
Alabama drivers tied with drivers from Rhode Island and Illinois for being most likely in the nation to report that another driver has tried to block their car from changing lanes (63.5%).
Alabama ranked fourth worst for both the percentage of drivers who experience road rage very frequently in their home state (34%) and the percentage of drivers who have been on the receiving end of rude or offensive gestures while driving (70.5%).
87% of Alabama drivers said another driver has yelled at them, insulted them, cursed at them, or made threats, the fifth highest amount in the nation.
Drivers from the Yellowhammer State also tied with drivers from Maryland for being fifth most likely to say that another driver has honked at them in frustration (71%).
7. Connecticut
Connecticut’s score: 93.46 out of 100
Connecticut ranked second worst for the percentage of drivers who have been tailgated (71.5%) and third worst for the percentage of drivers who have been forced off the road (20.5%).
Connecticut also ranked seventh worst for both the percentage of drivers who said another driver has exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them (25%) and the percentage of drivers who said another driver has honked at them in frustration (70%).
Additionally, 49.5% of drivers from the Constitution State said that another driver has cut them off on purpose, the ninth highest amount in the nation.
8. Illinois
Illinois’ score: 88.94 out of 100
Prairie State drivers were most likely in the nation to report that another driver has forced their car off the road (23.5%).
Illinois drivers also tied with drivers from Alabama and Rhode Island for being most likely to report that another driver has tried to block their car from changing lanes (63.5%).
29.5% of Illinois drivers said that another driver has exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them, the sixth highest amount in the nation.
Additionally, Illinois drivers tied with drivers from Connecticut for being 10th most likely to report that another driver has made rude or offensive gestures at them (61%).
9. Texas
Texas’ score: 82.23 out of 100
Texas drivers tied with West Virginia drivers for being most likely in the nation to report that another driver has cut them off on purpose (63%).
Texas drivers also tied with drivers from Rhode Island for being most likely to report that another driver has honked at them in frustration (79%).
Drivers in the Lone Star State were second most likely to report that another driver has made rude or offensive gestures at them (73%) and fourth most likely to report that another driver has exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them (46.5%).
Texas also ranked seventh worst for both the percentage of drivers who have been forced off the road by another driver (12.5%) and the percentage of drivers who report that another driver has yelled at them, insulted them, cursed at them, or made threats (77.5%).
10. Ohio
Ohio’s score: 77.82 out of 100
76% of Ohio drivers said that another driver has honked at them in frustration, the fourth highest amount in the nation.
The Buckeye State also ranked seventh worst for the percentage of drivers who said that another driver has cut them off on purpose (51.5%), and eighth worst for the percentage of drivers who have been on the receiving end of rude or offensive gestures while driving (63%).
Top Reasons for Road Rage
Among the drivers we surveyed, the top reasons cited for feeling road rage include:
Heavy traffic (39.35%)
Already feeling stressed (38.06%)
Running late (33.89%)
Already feeling angry (32.49%)
Feeling tired (26.86%)
Where Do Drivers Experience Road Rage the Most?
Drivers reported experiencing road rage most frequently on city streets (29.18%). Other common locations for confrontational driving include:
Freeways or highways (26.59%)
Parking lots (14.9%)
Intersections (12.36%)
Rural roads (6.99%)
