Results from the 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test are indicating that one in six American drivers on the road would not pass their written DMV exam if they took it today. This is the 3rd annual survey by GMAC Insurance. This survey gauges driver knowledge of the rules of the road. It tests Americans with driver’s licenses with actual questions from state Department of Motor Vehicle license tests.
According to the results of the 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, New York drivers beat Rhode Island by ranking last in all fifty states and the District of Columbia on driver knowledge. Idaho is first on the list and dethroned Oregon’s tenure at first place as the most knowledgeable drivers in America. While the national average score was 77.1 percent, New Yorkers had an average of 71 percent–and the highest failure rates (36 percent). Idaho had an average score of 81.7 percent.
Geographical regions ranked similarly to previous years, with Arkansas, Minnesota, Kansas and Wisconsin ranking in the top five and New Jersey, Washington, DC, Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the bottom five among all states.
Just like the past three years’ surveys, the respondents completed twenty questions taken from actual DMV tests. GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test respondents found 2 questions particularly tough this year, driving scores down across the board. 81 percent couldn’t identify the proper following distance from the car in front of them (the right answer is two seconds). 84 percent could not identify the correct action to take when approaching a steady yellow traffic light (the right answer is to stop if it is safe to do so).
Other points of interest taken from the 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test include:
— With Age Comes Wisdom: The older the driver, the higher the test score. Drivers 35+ years old were most likely to pass.
— More than half of respondents (55 percent) don’t know how many feet to signal before making right or left turns.
— More than 2 in 5 drivers (46 percent) are unaware of the meaning of a diamond-shaped sign (warning sign).
— Fortunately, nearly all respondents (98 percent) know what to do when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights approaches, what to do when hydroplaning and the meaning of a solid yellow line.
The survey says: Geography Means Everything
— Illinois, Georgia, DC, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts were the least knowledgeable states overall, with average scores lower than 75 percent.
— Idaho and Alaska were the most knowledgeable, with average scores over 81 percent.
— Regions displaying the highest failure rates were the South Atlantic (20.8 percent) and New England (15.7 percent).
Where are the most knowledgeable drivers in the nation? The following is a complete list of state rankings for the 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test.
1 ID 18 MO 33 FL
2 AK 19 DE 36 ME
3 MN 19 NV 37 NH
4 WI 21 VT 37 MS
5 KS 22 CA 37 TN
6 WA 23 HI 40 CT
7 SD 24 TX 41 VA
8 MT 25 MD 41 LA
9 OR 25 AL 43 WV
10 IA 27 AR 44 GA
11 NE 28 MI 45 IL
12 WY 29 KY 46 PA
13 OK 30 UT 47 RI
13 IN 31 OH 48 MA
13 NC 31 CO 48 DC
16 NM 33 SC 48 NJ
17 ND 33 AZ 51 NY
The test was administered by TNS, a major market information resource and the world’s largest provider of custom research and analysis. TNS is also a leader in social and political polling and a top supplier of consumer panel, media intelligence and internet, and TV and radio audience measurement services. A national sample of 5,175 total licensed respondents, aged 16-60+, balanced to the latest U.S. Census data were given a 20-question test simulating the experience of taking standard written drivers test, with questions taken verbatim from DMV tests (but not state specific). For more information about TNS, please visit www.tns-global.com.
GMAC Insurance encourages the public to take the test at www.gmacinsurance.com. Compare your score to the national average, see how your state ranked in previous years, challenge a friend to test their skills and brush up on safe driving tips.
For more information about GMAC Insurance coverage and to find a local independent agent, call 1-888-406-6276, or visit www.gmacinsurance.com. The GMAC Insurance Group is one of the largest automobile insurers in the United States and is a wholly owned subsidiary of GMAC Financial Services. GMAC Insurance Personal Lines offers a variety of property and casualty insurance products, including personal auto, RV, motorcycle, boat and commercial auto insurance. With a nationwide network of claims professionals, local independent agents and a 24-hour, toll-free claims hotline available 365 days a year, the GMAC Insurance Group provides superior claims service for its customers.