CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina drivers might need to take a chill pill.
According to a recent study from GasBuddy, the Tar Heel State is in the top five for most aggressive drivers, falling between Texas (No. 4) and New Jersey (No. 6). On average, North Carolina drivers experience an aggressive driving event every 8.6 minutes. Those incidents include hard braking, speeding, and rapid acceleration, especially in a traffic jam.
Top 10 states with most aggressive drivers
1. California
2. Connecticut
3. Georgia
4. Texas
5. North Carolina
6. New Jersey
7. Delaware
8. Florida
9. Kentucky
10. Arizona
With gas prices at their highest levels since 2015, GasBuddy says those drivers are only costing themselves more at the pump with their aggressive habits. Those habits can lower fuel mileage by as much as 40 percent, costing drivers up to an extra $477 in fuel per year.
So, in an effort to save yourself some stress and cash, experts say you might want to take it easy on the highways.
“Our findings indicate that states with densely populated cities and high levels of congestion are where motorists are more inclined to drive aggressively,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “And with gas prices expected to continue to rise well into the summer months, simply being aware of how you drive can dramatically lower fuel costs, prevent damages to your vehicle, and make the roads safer for everyone.”
Methodology
The findings were compiled using data from GasBuddy’s Trips feature that provides drivers with an assessment of their driving habits during their trip in an effort to improve fuel efficiency, mapping out when and where a poor driving habit occurred.
GasBuddy examined tens of millions of Trips in the fifty states since Dec. 12, 2017, noting the frequency of an aggressive event while driving, whether it be speeding, hard braking or accelerating.