According to a new report from Forbes Advisor, Arizona has the most confrontational drivers in the U.S. And it is not even close. The Grand Canyon State scored a perfect 100 out of 100 when in comes to incidents of road rage in Arizona.

LEARN MORE: 2 Metro Phoenix cities among Top 25 for costliest commutes

Violent road rage incidents are on the rise nationwide, according to the Forbes Advisor report. In 2022, 413 people were injured in road rage shootings, a 135% increase from 2018. In some states, confrontational driving tends to be more common, putting drivers at greater risk when they get behind the wheel.

To determine which states have the most confrontational drivers, Forbes Advisor conducted a survey of 10,000 licensed drivers and compared all 50 states across nine key metrics.

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona tops the list of states with the worst road rage, while Delaware is home to the most polite drivers in the nation.
  • Five of the top 10 states with the most confrontational drivers are in the South, including West Virginia, Virginia, Oklahoma, Alabama and Texas.
  • Four of the top 10 states with the most polite drivers are in the Pacific and West, including Idaho, Wyoming, Washington and New Mexico.
  • Drivers reported experiencing road rage most frequently on city streets (29.18%), on freeways or highways (26.59%) and in parking lots (14.9%).

Top Reasons for Road Rage

Among the drivers we surveyed, the top reasons cited for feeling road rage include:

  • Heavy traffic (39.35%)
  • Already feeling stressed (38.06%)
  • Running late (33.89%)
  • Already feeling angry (32.49%)
  • Feeling tired (26.86%)

Top 5 States With the Most Road Rage

1. Arizona

Arizona’s score: 100 out of 100

  • The Grand Canyon State ranked second worst for the percentage of drivers who have been forced off the road (22.5%) and tied with Oklahoma for having the third highest percentage of drivers who have been tailgated (70.5%).
  • 31.5% of Arizona drivers reported that another driver has exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them, the fifth highest amount in the nation.
  • Additionally, Arizona ranks sixth worst for both the percentage of drivers who experience road rage very frequently in their home state (31.5%) and the percentage of drivers who have been yelled at, insulted, cursed at or threatened by another driver (81%).

2. Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s score: 98.46 out of 100

  • Rhode Island drivers tied with drivers from Alabama and Illinois for being most likely to report that another driver has tried to block their car from changing lanes (63.5%).
  • Rhode Island drivers were also most likely to report that another driver has yelled at them, insulted them, cursed at them or made threats (96.5%), and tied with drivers from Texas for being most likely to experience honks of frustration (79%).
  • Ocean State drivers were second most likely to report that another driver has exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them (57%), and tied with Texas drivers for being second most likely to experience rude or offensive gestures while driving (73%).
  • Additionally, Rhode Island drivers were third most likely to report that another driver has cut them off on purpose (62.5%).

3. West Virginia

West Virginia’s score: 97.82 out of 100

  • West Virginia drivers were most likely in the nation to report that another driver has tailgated their car (77%), made rude or offensive gestures at them (75%) and exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them (61%).
  • Mountain State drivers also tied with Texas drivers for being most likely to report that another driver has cut them off on purpose (63%).
  • 94.5% of West Virginia drivers have been on the receiving end of insults, curses and threats from other drivers, the second highest amount in the nation.
  • West Virginia drivers were also fifth most likely to report that they have been forced off the road by another driver (13.5%) and that another driver has tried to block their car from changing lanes (61.5%).

4. Virginia

Virginia’s score: 96.97 out of 100

  • Virginia drivers were third most likely to report that another driver has exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them (50.5%), honked at them in frustration (78.5%) and yelled at them, insulted them, cursed at them or made threats (89.5%).
  • Drivers in the Old Dominion State tied with Oklahoma drivers for being fourth most likely to report that another driver has cut them off on purpose (59.5%).
  • Virginia drivers also tied with Missouri drivers for being fifth most likely to experience rude or offensive gestures while driving (67%).

5. Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s score: 96.49 out of 100

  • 60% of Oklahoma drivers said they experience road rage very frequently from other drivers in their home state, the highest amount in the nation.
  • Sooner State drivers tied with Arizona drivers for being third most likely to report that another driver has tailgated their car (70.5%).
  • Oklahoma drivers were fourth most likely to report that another driver has forced their car off the road (14%).
  • Oklahoma drivers also tied with Virginia drivers for being fourth most likely to report that another driver has cut them off on purpose (59.5%).