Driver’s Ed, Perhaps? [Mixed Reviews By People Who Don't Live Here]

May 22, 2009 10:02 AM 7 comments

We already knew that Nashville had some pretty bad drivers. Our daily commutes are such an adventure that we’re really not surprised that Tennessee drivers scored 38th place in a test administered by GMAC Insurance to test basic driving knowledge. Folks, that means that we are ranked in 14th place among States With The Worst Drivers. We hate to say it, but we told you so. Thanks to Dan Cotton for the tip!

And we may have figured out why Tennessee has such bad drivers. According to a recent study, 42% of Tennesseans text while driving, granting us the first-place trophy for texty states. Compare that to Arizona’s 18.8%  texting drivers, and reality stings just a little. [via Post Politics]

Photo by Dave Delaney.

  • http://www.davemadethat.com Dave Delaney

    Ha! Thanks for using my photo. Did you noticed the truck's tagline?
    “We do it right the first time.”

  • http://paulnich.blogspot.com Paul Nicholson

    I am still blown away by the fact that TN doesnt require driver's ed to get a license. Even though i know there would be janky “Safe Auto” style 'legal for less' classes that would crop up, most kids would probably go ahead and take the real class when they turn 15 like every other state out there.

    Boggles the mind that you have to pass one test when you are 16 yrs old that may or may not even require you to make a left hand turn or parallel park (based on personal and 1st hand accounts from friends) – and you get to operate a lethal piece of heavy machinery for the next…80, 90 years…however long you want. No further certification, education, or testing needed.

  • http://nashvillest.com morganlevy

    No problem! Thanks for snagging such an excellent representation of terrible driving. That tagline is the best part of the entire thing.

  • http://nashvillest.com morganlevy

    It is pretty amazing. In Virginia, driver's ed was mandatory for anyone under 19 being issued a license. We didn't have a driving test beyond driver's ed, though.

  • http://paulnich.blogspot.com Paul Nicholson

    Ditto in Texas where i grew up. Still no follow-up classes or tests that i think should be there too. But at least make sure they were told how to drive at some point in their life!

  • Indie

    This list is worthless. They say that TN drivers are better than Massachusetts drivers? Mass. drivers may be aggressive, but they pay attention which is more than I can say for people in TN.

  • http://www.tourtravelchina.com/ China Tour

    Different point of view from that post. Interesting to say the least.