MILWAUKEE --A recent survey from Kars4Kids ranked Wisconsin the 46th state with the worst drivers.
Wisconsin received a D- grade for drivers admitting to being the least likely to let cars merge in front, hate slow drivers, and admit to stealing parking spots.
"For the record I have never stolen a parking space," says Scot Banks, Arcade Driving School Quality Control Specialist.
Granted while some of the facts have be found to be true, Wisconsin State Patrol Lieutenant Nathan Clarke says he's never stolen a parking spot, but I've seen it happen. I've actually had it happen to me," says Clarke.
Neither Lieutenant Clarke or Banks agree that drivers in this state are that bad. Kars4Kids took answers from 2,500 drivers across America on their driving habits. Based on those answers the survey found Idaho to be the best drivers, while New York had the worst drivers. Illinois even beat Wisconsin, ranking at 31.
"I did check to see whether or not the survey was actually paid for by the Illinois Department of Tourism. But I did see that they did beat us," says Clarke.
A similar study was done by Quote Wizard, but instead of using drivers' answers, sample data of accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, citations, and fatalities from the Federal Highway Administration. Quote Wizard found Utah to have the worst drivers while Rhode Island had the best, and Wisconsin ranked dead center at 25.
Lieutenant Clarke chalked the Kars4Kids results up to the fact that here in the Midwest has no problem being honest, which may not be the same for other states.
"Perhaps maybe we're just a little but more honest here in the state of Wisconsin, and maybe a bit more aware of our practices or foibles," says Clarke.
As someone who teaches drivers on a daily basis, Banks says he treats every young driver as a young adult.
He reminds students that driving is great undertaking, telling them that a car is one of the largest and most expensive weapons they'll use on a daily basis. Treating others with respect and owning up to their responsibilities as smart drivers on the road is good karma says Banks.
"We really really work hard with our students in the classroom to teach them drive attitude is one of the most important factors in driving...because if you're in a bad mood, you're probably going to pass it on to somebody else," says Banks.
Both men agree that this research is a great reminder -- while Wisconsin may not be the best or the worst, there's always room for improvement.
For additional information from both surveys about ours and other states follow this link.
