Maybe it's true: NJ drivers may be safer than those in PA or New York

Joe Mason, Asbury Park Press
Updated ·2 min read
Best and worst drivers in American in 2023, according to ConsumerAffairs.com.
Best and worst drivers in American in 2023, according to ConsumerAffairs.com.

It appears we’ve gotten a bad rap all along.

Maybe it’s because we know how to turn left and take jughandles, but according to a recent poll, despite our reputation, New Jersey drivers ain’t that bad.

In fact, a new study by the Research Team at ConsumerAffairs found the most deadly cities for drivers shows that Newark has the worst drivers in the state, but they only come in at 140 in the nation for U.S. crash scores.

The three next worst cities in the Garden State are Elizabeth, which came in at 188, Jersey City, which came in at 230, and Paterson, which finished 287th.

In the tri-state area, New Jersey has the best drivers. New Jersey has an average crash score of 12.907, Pennsylvania 13.357 and New York is 18.17.

The worst cities in Pennsylvania are Philadelphia (186), Pittsburgh (201) and Allentown (224.) In New York, Rochester comes in at 23, Syracuse is 124, Buffalo is 164, Yonkers comes in at 255 and New York is 296.

The 10 worst cities for drivers are Memphis; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Macon, Georgia; St. Louis; Cleveland; Detroit; Victorville, California; Hesperia, California and Pueblo, Colorado.

The safest states in the country, according to the research, are Nevada, Idaho, South Dakota, North Dakota and Massachusetts.

Worst cities for driving in New Jersey

  • Newark (140)

  • Elizabeth (188)

  • Jersey City (230)

  • Paterson (287)

Worst cities for driving in New York

  • Rochester (23)

  • Syracuse (124)

  • Buffalo (164)

  • Yonkers (255)

  • New York (296)

Worst cities for driving in Pennsylvania

  • Philadelphia (186)

  • Pittsburgh (201)

  • Allentown (224)

Cities with the worst drivers in America 2023, according to ConsumerAffairs.com
Cities with the worst drivers in America 2023, according to ConsumerAffairs.com

10 worst cities for drivers in America

  • Memphis

  • Baton Rouge, Louisiana

  • Albuquerque, New Mexico

  • Macon, Georgia

  • St. Louis

  • Cleveland

  • Detroit

  • Victorville, California

  • Hesperia, California

  • Pueblo, Colorado

Cities with the best drivers in America in 2023, according to ConsumerAffairs.com.
Cities with the best drivers in America in 2023, according to ConsumerAffairs.com.

5 states with the safest drivers in America

If you’re taking a trip this summer, here are good states to go cruising in.

  • Nevada

  • Idaho

  • South Dakota

  • North Dakota

  • Massachusetts

To determine a “crash score,” ConsumerAffairs analyzed recent accident data from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the NHTSA, including the number of traffic fatalities due to violations like speeding and driving under the influence. The data focuses on U.S. cities with populations over 100,000.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ drivers fairly safe compared to PA, New York City