JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Forbes magazine study published Thursday found that Jacksonville is among the Top 15 cities with the worst drivers in the country.
It’s a dubious distinction no city wants, to be among the worst of the worst when it comes to dangerous driving behavior either on the highway or on residential roads.
After analyzing risky road trends from 2017 to 2021, Forbes found that Jacksonville is ranked No. 14 when it comes to cities with the absolute worst drivers on the road.
“People cutting you off, when you are going above the speed limit anyway, or motorcycles going really fast when you’re zipping in and out,” Jacksonville driver Cindy Fernandez said.
Juanita Collins also had a thing, or two, to say about Jacksonville drivers.
“I’m over in the right lane doing the speed limit and then some wild person drives up on me like I have somewhere to move over to,” Collins said.
Researchers say:
- Jacksonville recorded 15.32 deaths per 100,000 residents according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- 4.49 fatal accidents per 100,000 residents involve a drunk driver
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Researchers also took into account the number of accidents involving distracted drivers.
News4JAX wanted to know how local drivers think they stack up behind the wheel.
“Ask my wife, she’ll tell you no but I think I am,” Joe McCombs said.
McCombs did, however, recognize there is some room to grow.
“Stay away from that phone man, when that thing buzzes everyone looks down, and that’s what happens,” McCombs said.
Another driver said his “minus” is being in a hurry or thinking about other things while driving.
Meanwhile, Collins said staying calm is something she could do better.
“Probably not get nervous, or anxious or angry when the crazy driver comes up behind me,” Collins said.
Below are Forbes’s top 5 cities with the worst drivers:
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Detroit, Michigan
- Tucson, Arizona
- Kansas City, Missouri
Forbes also considered the number of fatal car accidents in Jacksonville that occurred as a result of speeding.
“It seems like everyone is in a hurry and safety Is not the priority,” Collins said.
Researchers at Forbes Advisor did not provide any data for the safest city when it comes to drivers. It’s important to note that three of the Top 15 cities were located in Texas, and the city of Tampa was ranked 10th in the list.