Report: Washington drivers fifth worst in U.S.

Washington drivers rank among the worst in the nation, according to an analysis of federal data released by a Seattle-based insurance company.

QuoteWizard reported this week that Washington drivers are the fifth worst. The state went from ninth to fifth worst since 2016, according to the company.

“Is it the rain-soaked streets? Is it the legal weed? Is it Seattle’s massive growth? We’re not sure what’s causing it, but the fact is that Washington drivers are less-than-stellar,” QuoteWizard said.

Part of the blame for bad driving was placed on the influx of transplants to the state.

At least one local driver agreed. When asked on Twitter for thoughts on the ranking, user @PapermakersArmy replied, “Simple. it is all the transplants from the No. 1 worst driving state that have moved up here.”

California drivers ranked the worst, followed by Minnesota, Utah and South Carolina.

Washington’s accident rate jumped from 33rd worst to 14th worst since 2016, the analysis says.

QuoteWizard based its rankings on Federal Highway Administration data, including averages calculated from the number of accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, citations and fatalities.

The results of the study by the Seattle-based insurance comparison marketplace, released Thursday, gave a fairly dim view of drivers across the country, showing a 14 percent increase in car-related deaths since 2015.

The cause? Americans are spending more time on the road, and still texting and talking while driving, the study found.

The Seattle Times contributed to this report.