Study: D.C. drivers third worst in country

The District of Columbia was ranked third worst in the nation, ahead of only New York and New Jersey, based on tests conducted by GMAC Insurance. Maryland was 20th, and Virginia was 28th.

The sixth annual survey quizzed 5,202 licensed Americans from all 50 states and D.C.

Kansas drivers are the best, with an average score of 82.3. Nationally, the average score ticked down to 76.2 from 76.6 last year and 78.1 percent in 2008. A score of 70 percent or better is considered passing.

“It’s discouraging to see that overall average test scores are lower than last year,” said Wade Bontrager, senior vice president of GMAC. “American drivers need to make safety a top priority and be aware of the rules of the road at all times.”

The District’s low score came as a surprise to Lon Anderson, a spokesman for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

“That really is counterintuitive, given how well-informed we are,” he said. “This is a highly educated area — far better than the rest of the nation.”

AAA gets feedback on drivers who are aggressive and rude, Anderson said, but uninformed? “That’s a new title,” he said.

D.C. was ranked 50th two years ago and 44th last year. Maryland drivers showed significant improvement, from 42nd in 2008 and 41st in 2009. Virginia drivers are all over the place — 40th in 2008, 21st last year, and 28th this year.

The test consists of 20 questions from state Department of Motor Vehicle tests. One sample question is, “When you approach a traffic signal displaying a steady yellow light, you must: A) Go through the intersection before it turns red; B) Stop if it is safe to do so; C) Be prepared to stop; D) Slow down and proceed with caution.

Overall, 85 percent of respondents answered this question incorrectly (The right answer is B).

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