For many across the country, driving is a necessity in order to complete their day-to-day functions.
Their car takes them to work, to get the groceries, pick up their kids and so on.
With so many people dependent on their cars, it's only natural that drivers experience traffic from time to time.
But traffic can vary from state to state. So which state has the worst traffic level?
Related: 10 U.S. cities with spookiest and most stressful commutes
A recent article by Wallethub examined the worst states to drive in this year. To compare all 50 states evenly, Wallethub used four dimensions in their evaluation: cost of ownership and maintenance; traffic and infrastructure; safety; and access to vehicles and maintenance. They evaluated those dimensions using 23 relevant metrics; each was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the best for drivers.
Related: Here are the safest vehicles on the road for 2018
Whether you're an insured or an insurer, traffic can factor into the insurance equation in a number of ways. Heavy levels of traffic can lead to aggressive driving and accidents. Even low to moderate levels of traffic factor into a car's life longevity and deterioration of roadways, among other aspects.
With this in mind, which states should you avoid at all costs in 2018?
10. New York
Total score: 49.99
Safety rank: 1
Related: Commercial auto insurance market update: Rough road to profitability
9. New Jersey
Total score: 49.56
Safety rank: 6
Related: Oh deer! What drivers should know about animal collisions
8. Rhode Island
Total score: 49.49
Safety rank: 2
Related: 10 states with the worst roads in the U.S.
7. Massachusetts
Total score: 49.19
Safety rank: 4
Related: Top 5 states for car insurance savings
6. Alaska
Total score: 48.69
Safety rank: 17
Related: 10 best and worst states for teen drivers
5. Connecticut
Total score: 48.67
Safety rank: 3
Related: Are we safe drivers? Apparently not…
4. California
Total score: 48.60
Safety rank: 18
Related: 11 ways cars will be smarter in 2018
3. Maryland
Total score: 48.31
Safety rank: 16
Related: Fighting auto insurance fraud
2. Washington
Total score: 44.08
Safety rank: 36
Related: Storefront crashes: Vehicle intrusion risks increase
1. Hawaii
Total score: 31.83
Safety rank: 34
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Denny Jacob
Denny Jacob is an associate editor for NU PropertyCasualty360. Contact him at [email protected].
