States with the Worst Commercial Drivers

Which state has the worst commercial drivers? I bet you guessed the state in which you reside, right? Well, you may be surprised. Scroll to the bottom of this post to view which state topped that list, as well as list of States with the Most Dangerous Roads.

Motorists who have not ventured to other states as often as they would like or are travelling very far and they are not exactly sure about the traffic situation will often wonder how safe it is. The state laws in each state differ from each other and the restrictions the states place and how well they enforce them creates a huge difference in the traffic conditions. It does beg the question: Exactly what is it that makes one state safer to drive in compared to another?

Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a comprehensive idea of what to expect? Luckily, there is plenty of information out there and statistical records that can paint a good picture for you. We have used the information available to find out the top 10 most dangerous states when it comes to dangerous commercial vehicle drivers. You would be surprised at some of the states that have the worst commercial drivers. The main factors taken into consideration were the aspects of harsh braking and acceleration, cornering and excessive speeding.

For those of you from these states, the information we provide might not come as a surprise but it is still vital information for someone not familiar with the routes and the roads. Of course before we get into the thick of it, let’s take a look at how you can manage to keep your fleet safe no matter which state the drivers from your fleet operate in.

Safety Always Comes First

The fact of the matter is that some of the safest states where the worst commercial drivers rarely venture are the tiniest ones. Rhode Island is the safest while Virginia slips in at the 10^th spot on the list. When it comes to the states that have the worst commercial drivers, nothing beats the Northwest. Montana in particular, has the worst while Oklahoma makes it to the 10^th of that list.

The driver behavior is the best in North Dakota while the state of Utah is infamous for having some of the rashest commercial drivers. This might surprise some of you but New York is among the best when it comes to driver behavior.

Speeding

It is no surprise that speeding is a factor that has a lot of influence when it comes to determining which states have the worst commercial drivers. They are a huge indicator of driver behavior (or if they even have any). The states of Connecticut, Virginia and Vermont have commercial drivers which exhibit the lowest of speeding incidents. Montana and both North and South Dakota are states with drivers who just love to put the pedal to the metal. There are wider roads in these three states so it can act as an encouraging factor but the fact is, they feel it gives them a better chance to get away so they push their limits.

How to Keep Your Commercial Drivers Safe in These States

As fleet managers or fleet owners, the primary concern is keeping the drivers for their own fleet and the company assets safe while they travel in these dangerous areas. There are a few things that fleet managers can encourage and reinforce during training sessions in order to emphasize safety precautions and remind them of how they can keep themselves safe while on the road in these states.

1. Staying Focused

While it may sound pretty obvious, someone driving long distances can tend to lose focus on the road. Staying focused and alert is one of the most important things keeping anybody safe on the road. The thing with commercial drivers is that they are on the road for extended periods of time without rest and that can take a toll on even the most focused person. There are simple things that you can reinforce in the next training session like eating healthy snacks, keeping well hydrated and listening to a good audiobook or some comedy to keep them entertained. These are simple tips but they can make a world of a difference when it comes to keeping your fleet operators safe from some of the worst commercial drivers.

2. Inspire Healthy Competition

On that note, it is crucial to point out that one of the most effective ways to actually implement the safer practices on the road is through inspiring some healthy competition among the operators. Gamification is a very good way to take advantage of the natural instinct that the fleet operators have to out-do each other and it can make a positive impact on the overall goals for the company.

3. Restructure the Culture around Safety

Of course just telling your drivers that they have to be more careful on the road is never going to be too effective for very long. There is a need to focus on the individual level and instill good driving habits through fleet tracking software which can help you advise how they can improve on their performance in the long run. This will help keep both the organization and the operators accountable for their actions as well as help them in accidents if they occur on the road by displaying the facts as they are.

States with the Most Dangerous Roads

Montana
Wyoming
South Dakota
Kentucky
Mississippi
North Dakota
Alabama
Arkansas
Texas
Oklahoma