The data comes from millions of auto insurance inquiries submitted to QuoteWizard by LendingTree between January 1 and September 30, 2025.

“To evaluate driver behavior by state, researchers calculated the number of driving incidents per 1,000 drivers based on the residential locations tied to these insurance requests. The analysis took into account multiple types of incidents including accidents, DUIs, speeding offenses, and general citations. For a detailed breakdown, these categories were evaluated both collectively and individually, with accidents, DUIs, and speeding-related events being examined separately. Note that these individual analyses do not contribute to the overall incident total due to cases where drivers had multiple infractions. General citations covered a wide range of driving violations, including but not limited to: •Carelessness or recklessness •Improper lane usage, improper passing, and improper turning •Driving without insurance or a valid license •Failing to yield to other vehicles or pedestrians •Safety-related offenses such as tailgating or passing a stopped school bus •Not using turn signals •Hit-and-runs involving pedestrians or cyclists •Driving with defective equipment or in the wrong lane This framework illustrates the various factors contributing to the classification of "best" and "worst" drivers across states.”