Is it possible? Arizona drivers have been ranked as the rudest in the nation!

With intense competition from states like California and New York, I was shocked to learn the results of this new study.

In my experience, Arizona is filled with patient and polite citizens. Those traits don't show up when we're driving, according to a new study by Forbes online.

Road Rage is on the Rise in Arizona

Forbes Advisor conducted the study, basing the assessment on 9 key metrics from a survey of 10,000 drivers, roughly 200 from each state. The study was conducted from July 7 through August 3, 2023.

According to the study, "Violent road rage incidents are on the rise nationwide. In 2022, 413 people were injured in road rage shootings, a 135% increase from 2018."

The survey asked drivers to report incidents where other drivers:

• Forced their car off the road
• Exited their vehicle to yell or fight with another driver
• Were victims of road rage from another driver in their home state
• Blocked them from changing lanes
• Cut them off on purpose
• Tailgated their vehicle
• Yelled, insulted, cursed at, or threatened them
• Honked their horn in frustration at them
• Made rude or offensive gestures towards them

The Most Polite Drivers in the US

Four of the top 10 spots went to Western states: Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, and New Mexico. Delaware snagged the number one spot for most polite drivers in the nation.

Bad News for Arizona Drivers

When it comes to angry, confrontational drivers, however, the results were shocking. California came in at 13, and New York at number 12, two states we expected to rate higher.

Sadly, Arizona garnered a "perfect" score of 100 out of 100, which is bad news for the Grand Canyon state. Those who responded to the survey reported Arizona drivers had the second worst percentage of drivers who forced others off the road.

Arizona tied with Oklahoma for third third-highest number of drivers who've been tailgated by other vehicles.

A whopping 31% of Arizona drivers said another driver got out of their car to yell or fight with them - the fifth highest in the nation!

The Top 10 States with the Most Confrontational Drivers

1. Arizona 
2. Rhode Island
3. West Virginia
4. Virginia
5. Oklahoma
6. Alabama
7. Connecticut
8. Illinois
9. Texas
10. Ohio

Driving angry is not only unsafe for passengers and other drivers, but confrontational driving can hit your wallet. Insurance rates typically increase 45% after an accident with property damage and around 47% if the accident results in injuries.

So it's time for us to calm down and try a little Zen driving! Have you experienced a confrontational driver? Let us know!

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