Where the worst drivers live.

[panamania79 2]

The worst drivers in America live in New York. Of course, you knew that. You've been in the Holland Tunnel. But now, we have proof.

GMAC Insurance has released the results of its National Drivers Test for 2009. The test, which measures basic knowledge of driving laws, was given to more than 5,000 drivers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia -- and New Yorkers finished last. Last year's loser, New Jersey, improved its score just enough to leap over New York. Hawaii, California and Georgia rounded out the bottom five.

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Idaho and Wisconsin drivers tied for the highest average score, with an 80.6.

The point of the test, of course, is not just to confirm what anyone who's tried to merge onto the Thruway already knew. It's to measure how much we know about safe driving. And the news isn't good.

In a press release, GMAC explains, "Results from the 2009 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test released today found that 20.1 percent of licensed Americans - amounting to roughly 41 million drivers on the road - would not pass a written drivers test exam if taken today." Most of us have trouble, according to the results, with "questions about yellow lights and safe following distances."

The survey has been given for five years. The average score has fluctuated up and down during that time, but this year it is down - 76.6 percent versus last year's 78.1.

GMAC notes, "In general, geographical regions ranked similarly to previous years, with the lowest average test scores in the Northeast, while the states in the Midwest held the highest averages. When comparing genders, men are still more likely to pass the test than women, but the gap is considerably smaller in 2009 (81 percent of males versus 79 percent of females) than in 2008 (87 percent of males versus 80 percent of females)."

And, "The older the driver, the higher the test score." Drivers over 35 were more likely to pass than those under 35, while men over 45 posted the highest scores, and "the age group with the highest failure rates was young adults (18 to 24 years old)."

Curious how you'd do? Take the test yourself at nationaldriverstest.com. When you're finished, GMAC will even let you play a video game that teaches you how to avoid elderly people and aliens in the roadway (no, we're not kidding).

[NickD 203]

The worst drivers in America live in New York. Of course, you knew that. You've been in the Holland Tunnel. But now, we have proof.

GMAC Insurance has released the results of its National Drivers Test for 2009. The test, which measures basic knowledge of driving laws, was given to more than 5,000 drivers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia -- and New Yorkers finished last. Last year's loser, New Jersey, improved its score just enough to leap over New York. Hawaii, California and Georgia rounded out the bottom five.

More from U.S. News & World Report

» Cars Most Likely to Get a Ticket

» Car Insurance (Bad Drivers Welcome!)

Idaho and Wisconsin drivers tied for the highest average score, with an 80.6.

The point of the test, of course, is not just to confirm what anyone who's tried to merge onto the Thruway already knew. It's to measure how much we know about safe driving. And the news isn't good.

In a press release, GMAC explains, "Results from the 2009 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test released today found that 20.1 percent of licensed Americans - amounting to roughly 41 million drivers on the road - would not pass a written drivers test exam if taken today." Most of us have trouble, according to the results, with "questions about yellow lights and safe following distances."

The survey has been given for five years. The average score has fluctuated up and down during that time, but this year it is down - 76.6 percent versus last year's 78.1.

GMAC notes, "In general, geographical regions ranked similarly to previous years, with the lowest average test scores in the Northeast, while the states in the Midwest held the highest averages. When comparing genders, men are still more likely to pass the test than women, but the gap is considerably smaller in 2009 (81 percent of males versus 79 percent of females) than in 2008 (87 percent of males versus 80 percent of females)."

And, "The older the driver, the higher the test score." Drivers over 35 were more likely to pass than those under 35, while men over 45 posted the highest scores, and "the age group with the highest failure rates was young adults (18 to 24 years old)."

Curious how you'd do? Take the test yourself at nationaldriverstest.com. When you're finished, GMAC will even let you play a video game that teaches you how to avoid elderly people and aliens in the roadway (no, we're not kidding).

In my home town.

[It's me 1]

north carolina

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I'll agree Georgia drivers have no idea about safe following distances - most of the time I'm driving (and yes, at or slightly over the speed limit) and I've got some jerk in a big pick up truck or hummer who is following so close I can't see the front of their car - just the windshield - looking through the back mirror. Heaven forbid if I have to stop quickly 'cause I can guarantee their vehicle would be on top of mine. Tapping brakes lightly sometimes work - but what works the best is if Joe (or if he is driving, me) takes the digital camera out and aims it out the back window - boy do you see people back off quickly - and keep their distance!

[NickD 203]

Driving at 60 mph, if a car can accelerate from 0-60 mph, in one second, should allow at least 100 feet before pulling out in front of you, but even the best cars take around five seconds, at 88 feet per second, they should allow 450 feet before pulling out in front of you, so you don't have to slam on your brakes to avoid rear ending them. But with most cars taking over 30 seconds, that should make sure no vehicles are within a half a mile before pulling out in front of you, but they like to follow that 0-60 mph in one second rule so you really have to slam on your brakes to avoid hitting them.

See many people pulling out like that, that don't even look if traffic is coming. You certainly do not want to rear end a dump truck, won't be nothing left of you.

As far as people trying to park in your exhaust pipe, would be nice to blow in gasoline to shoot out a large flame, or oil with thick black smoke, that would back them up a tad. And what about people that follow you on a dark road with their brights on? Tempted to mount a zillion strobe lights on the rear of my vehicle and click the button.