Which state has the worst road rage drivers and what is getting them so angry?

Recent studies have suggested that 80% of drivers in America have shown some type of aggression behind the wheel during the past year.

Whether it was because someone swerved between lanes or they used their horn because they were blocked in, the chances are that most people have experienced road rage.

Between 2014 and 2023, road rage shootings were even found to have increased from 92 to 481, according to research of the Gun Violence Archive by The Trace.

But which state has the angriest drivers, and what is it that's driving up the rate?

Looking at a survey of 10,000 licensed drivers across all 50 states, this list will look at which is the worst.

1. California 

Coming in at number one is the Golden State itself, California, according to Forbes.

From being cut off to cursing at other road users and tailgating, California's drivers were ranked the most confrontational across all 50 states. 

It ranks third (47.5%) in terms of being cut off by other people, fourth (32%) in insults and seventh (60.5%) in tailgating. 

California also has the eighth-highest (11%) percentage of drivers who say another road user has exited their vehicle to fight or yell with them. 

2. Missouri

Missouri is up next at number two in this list. 

It has taken the top spot in terms of having the highest percentage of drivers who have been yelled at by someone else (33.5%).

The Midwestern state also ranks second (48%) for having the highest percentage of reports of people cutting off others.

It is ranked third for having the most honks in frustration and fifth in people receiving rude gestures.

Missouri also is the sixth worst state for not letting people merge or change lanes. 

3. Utah 

Road users in Utah have been ranked as the third angriest across the United States.

It has the highest percentage (49.5%) of reports about people cutting off others and blocking people from merging.

The state also has the highest (54%) gestures for people who have been on the end of receiving a rude gesture.

It ranks fifth (31.5%), however, for drivers hurling insults or curse words at other people.

4. Oklahoma 

Oklahoma is the fourth angriest state when it comes to drivers experiencing road rage.

Drivers here are particularly likely to give out rude or offensive gestures (46.5%) as they ranked second.

It ranks fifth in terms of people honking their horns at others (58%).

However, it ranks 10th in terms of people exiting their vehicle to try and fight or shout at someone else (10.5%). 

5. Colorado 

In at fifth is the Rocky Mountain state Colorado who has some very angry drivers.

If you're on the roads in Colorado, you might want to be carful of other drivers exiting their vehicle to try and fight you.

The state has the third-highest percentage when it comes to this (13%),  and the fourth highest reports of people being cut off.

In terms of people giving out rude gestures here, though, it is only tenth (45%). 

6. Mississippi 

While Colorado might have had some fighters, it's nothing compared to Mississippi.

The Magnolia state is ranked first (13.5%) in terms of having drivers who are the likeliest to exit their vehicle and fight someone.

It is also ranked third for having the most reports of people getting forced off the road by someone else (13.5%).

But it drops down in the rankings to 11th for having road users stopping people from changing lanes (35.5%). 

7. Virginia/Indiana (tie)

Both Virginia and Indiana are up next at number seven as they are both tied with the same amount of angry drivers.

Virginia is second in terms of drivers forcing other people off the road (15.5%) and second (40.5%) when it comes to blocking people from merging.

Indiana, meanwhile, is fifth for having people to try to exit their vehicles to fight (12%).

The Hoosier state is also eighth when it comes to drivers purposefully cutting people off (44.5%). 

9. New York

In at number nine is the state of New York who scored 77.85 out of 100.

The Big Apple, tied with Mississippi, has the highest percentage of drivers who will exit their vehicle to fight or yell (13.5%).

New York is also the sixth worst when it comes to blocking people from changing lanes (37%).

And in terms of forcing drivers off the road, it received a 12.5% eighth ranking. 

10. Maryland

Last but not least, Maryland was ranked as having the tenth most angry drivers in the US.

The Old Liner state is third when it comes to drivers blocking people from changing lanes (39.5%).

It also has the fifth-highest percentage of drivers who experience road rage 'frequently'.