Forbes study reveals some good news about Alabama drivers. But mostly bad
A study released by Forbes uncovered some good news about Alabama drivers, but some disturbing trends, as well.
The good news: Alabama had the fourth fewest DUIs per capita, with only 94.75 driver found under the influence per 100,000 licensed drivers. For comparison, South Dakota was found to have the most drunk drivers, with 887.04 DUIs per 100,000 drivers. Neighboring North Dakota was second with 764.67 DUIs per 100,000 drivers.
The bad news for Alabama? Just about everything else Forbes’ data uncovered.
In addition to DUIs, Forbes looked at data from fatal accidents in each state, dividing those accidents into those which involved a distracted driver, those which involved a fatigued or drowsy driver, drunk drivers, and those in which excessive speed was a factor.
The data was obtained from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the FBI, Arity and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Here’s what the data said about Alabama drivers:
- Alabama ranks 12th for the total number of fatal accidents per 100,000 drivers (21.14).
- Although the state with the fourth fewest total DUI arrests, Alabama ranks 12th for the highest number of fatal accidents involving drunk drivers (5.86 per 100,000 licensed drivers).
- Among fatal accidents where drowsy or tired drivers were a factor, the state ranks 9th (.99 per 100,000)
- Alabama is the 10th worst state for accidents in which excessive speed was a factor (5.59 per 100,000 drivers)
- In accidents where distracted driver was found to be a factor, Alabama ranked 20th at 1.19 per 100,000 drivers
The numbers in each category were assembled by Forbes to provide an overall ranking for each state. Alabama’s total score of 77.50 left it as the state with the 12th worst drivers in the U.S.
New Mexico was found to have the worst drivers, with a “perfect” score of 100. Wyoming had the 2nd worst drivers, followed by Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, Louisiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Mississippi and Missouri rounding out the top 10.
New Mexico ranked first for number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver; second for fatal accidents involving speeding; third highest number of total fatal accidents; and third highest drunk drivers involved in fatal accidents.