California ranked worst state for drivers by study

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
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LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A study has ranked California as the worst state for drivers.

Bankrate.com said it studied the driving conditions in the U.S. and took several factors into consideration, including commute time, annual insurance premiums, gas expenses, car repair costs, vehicle thefts and traffic fatalities.

Coming in last place was California, which topped New Mexico, Nevada, Louisiana and Wyoming as the worst state for drivers.

MORE: Southern California cities ranked at bottom of 2016 Allstate Best Drivers Report

The study said California received the lowest scores of all 50 states for average auto repair costs and car thefts. Those factors paired with lengthy commute times for drivers helped earn the Golden State the unwanted designation.

Lengthy commutes is certainly something all Southern Californians can relate with as seen in the recent holiday traffic.

The best state for drivers, according to the study, was Iowa, followed by Ohio, Maine, Wisconsin and Vermont.

MORE: Los Angeles County ranked highest in pedestrian fatalities in U.S.

The study cited Iowa's low insurance premiums, short commute times and less expensive auto repair costs as factors to its designation.

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