By Holly Richmond, December 26, 2013
Car Insurance Companion did a study using data from the National Highway Traffic Administration and MADD to come up with the 10 states with the worst drivers. The study factored in fatality rate, drunk driving, tickets, careless driving, and failure to obey issued citations for seat belts and the like. Seven of the 10 worst states are in the South, with Louisiana ranking No. 1.

- Louisiana
- South Carolina
- Mississippi
- Texas
- Alabama
- Florida
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Montana
- North Dakota
- Vermont
- Utah
- New Hampshire
- Minnesota
- Oregon
- Maine
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Iowa
- Massachusetts
As Richard Read of High Gear Media points out, the best explanation seems to be poverty rates, rather than states’ weather, booze, or teen licensing laws, “though even that isn’t a perfect match,” Read admits. Either way, Louisiana bikers better helmet up.