Maryland may not be the best place for motorists. That’s according to a recent study by WalletHub, which ranked the Free State near the bottom of its “worst states for drivers” list at 45. It’s not the only state in the Mid-Atlantic/East Coast region to receive a low score. Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island also ranked in the bottom 10.
Why Maryland landed at the bottom
WalletHub looked at a variety of factors to determine each state’s driving quality. Some of those include the cost of auto maintenance, investment in infrastructure, driving safety and access to vehicle maintenance.
While Maryland ranks high in other studies for its economy and access to top-notch hospitals, it’s not a great state for motorists. Here are a few reasons why:
- High traffic congestion: Maryland has some of most overcrowded highways in the nation, even worse than California. I-270 Southbound, the I-95 Inner Loop and U.S. 50 Westbound can be especially congested. Maryland’s typical commute time is also much higher than the U.S. average at 31.5 minutes.
- Cost of car maintenance: The cost of living is particularly high in Maryland and car maintenance may contribute to that. According to the U.S. News and World Report, owning a car in Maryland can be affordable. However, the lowest average maintenance expense in Maryland is around $392, one of the highest in the nation.
- Aggressive speeders/drivers: WalletHub didn’t list driver behavior in its study. But Maryland, especially around the Baltimore metro, is known for its aggressive motorists. In late 2019, Maryland State Police implemented enforcement checks to track aggressive driving. That’s because it causes thousands of injuries and deaths.
Injured motorists deserve compensation
When driving conditions are poor, that can pose a danger for all motorists. Car crashes can leave victims with undue hardships like lost wages and expensive medical bills. If you get into a severe collision, you may want to seek out an experienced personal injury attorney.
