If you are fearful about the drivers on the highways of South Carolina, you have a good reason to be, a new study suggests.
The study by carinsurancecomparison.com drew on figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to find South Carolina has the nation's second-worst drivers.
The survey found the state has the worst statistics in the country for careless driving -- pedestrians and cyclists killed per 100,000 people, The State reported.
South Carolina was in second from bottom place in its percentage of fatalities related to alcohol and fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
Only Louisiana fared more badly in the rankings that also included failure to obey traffic signals and wear seat belts as well as tickets issued.
However, drivers in South Carolina are better when it comes to obeying traffic signals and wearing their seat belts. The state ranked 29th among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., in these categories.
South Carolina has a law that requires every driver and passenger to wear a seat belt. The driver is responsible for requiring occupants of the car wear seat belts if they are 17 or younger.
A north-south divide was apparent in the survey. The five states with the worst drivers were all in the south. They are Louisiana, South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama.
Vermont had the safest drivers in the country based on the statistics followed by Utah, New Hampshire, Minnesota and Oregon.
Careless driving can often result in auto accidents and injuries. Last month an accident made headlines when a car landed on the roof of a house in Columbia, SC. Police said they were searching for a suspected drunk driver. Alcohol can impair the judgment of a driver, even in small amounts.
If you or a loved one has been hurt due to the actions of a careless driver, a drunk driver or a distracted driver, you should call the experienced Columbia car accident lawyers at the Masella Law Firm at 803.748.9990.