Two recent studies confirm an unexpected finding: Michigan drivers are the safest in the United States. Data released in late 2025 by LendingTree and Insurify consistently places the state at the top for low accident rates and responsible driving behavior. This stands in contrast to common perceptions, especially those concentrated around the more aggressive driving cultures in cities like Detroit.
Key Findings from the Studies
LendingTree’s analysis of traffic incidents between January and September 2025 shows Michigan with just 10 accidents per 1,000 drivers — the lowest rate nationwide. This is significantly lower than states like New Jersey, which reported over 31 incidents per 1,000 drivers. Insurify’s study, analyzing 2023-2024 collision data, confirms this trend: Michigan’s accident rate is just 1.68%, nearly half that of the next safest state, Mississippi (2.86%).
Beyond Accidents: DUIs and Speeding Citations
While excelling in accident avoidance, Michigan isn’t perfect. The LendingTree data ranks it 18th worst for driving under the influence (1.6 DUIs per 1,000 drivers). However, the state performs well in terms of speeding citations, with only 1.9 incidents per 1,000 drivers — a far cry from leaders like North Dakota (11.9) and Utah (9.4).
The Top and Bottom States
Combining these metrics, LendingTree ranked the top ten states with the best drivers as follows:
- Michigan (20.9 incidents/1,000 drivers)
- Florida (23.1 incidents/1,000 drivers)
- Colorado (23.7 incidents/1,000 drivers)
The worst performers include:
- North Dakota (64 incidents/1,000 drivers)
- New Jersey (58.8 incidents/1,000 drivers)
- Utah (54.6 incidents/1,000 drivers)
Why Michigan?
The reasons behind Michigan’s success aren’t immediately clear. The state has a strong automotive culture, but concentrated in areas like Detroit, which have traditionally high-risk driving habits. The data suggests that broader driving behavior across the state may be more cautious than previously assumed.
Michigan’s consistent top ranking underscores the need to re-evaluate common perceptions about driver safety. Despite its reputation as a car-centric state, the data proves that Michigan drivers are, on average, safer than those in many other parts of the country.
The results suggest that Michigan’s overall approach to traffic safety—whether through enforcement, infrastructure, or driver education—is demonstrably effective. This data challenges assumptions and offers a valuable benchmark for other states seeking to improve road safety.
