Nevada drivers among worst at knowing rules of the road, study finds

By Kyle B. Hansen

Thursday, May 26, 2011 | 4:07 p.m.

Ever have that feeling that other motorists on the road aren’t sure how to drive? You might be right, especially if you are in Nevada.

A new survey says one in five drivers is unfit for the road, and in a ranking, Nevada came in 42nd out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The study, commissioned by GMAC Insurance, suggests that 36.9 million Americans, or about 18 percent of drivers on the road, would not pass a written drivers’ test if taken today.

The survey polled 5,130 licensed drivers between the ages of 16 and 65. Participants were given 20 questions from their state’s driver exam. The average score across the country was 77.9 percent correct.

Nevada drivers got an average correct score of 75.7 percent, the 10th worst in the nation, behind the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Georgia.

The states with the highest scores were Kansas, Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, Nebraska, Indiana, Missouri, South Dakota and Wyoming.

This is the seventh year the insurance company has issued the study. Scores this year improved slightly from last year, when the average was 76.2.

However, Nevada drivers did worse this year. In 2010, the state had an average score of 78.1 and was ranked 21st in the nation.

The insurance company said the survey suggests that Americans lack “critical driving comprehension,” which could result in an increase of accidents.

For example, 85 percent of drivers don’t know what to do when approaching a steady-yellow traffic signal and only a quarter of drivers knew what a safe following distance was.

In general, states in the Northeast had the lowest scores, while the Midwest had the best scores, the survey said. It indicated men appeared to be more knowledgeable than woman, with an average score of 80.2 verses 74.9.

The insurance company offers sample tests for some states (not Nevada) on its website and has a Facebook quiz for drivers to test themselves and challenge friends.