Deadliest Roads

According to this week's Reader's Digest...

I found it interesting that Montana is the deadliest state to drive in. 
Especially when I think McKay got his car wrecked without even being in it.  

The RD article said Montana has the most drivers who drink, drive recklessly, and shun seat belts.  
I can't figure out why this would be.  It looks like such a beautiful state! 
And cowboys aren't reckless, are they?

 



So while Montana may be the deadliest state to drive in, at least they have good roads because look at this next chart:
 
 
I wonder where all the bad roads in California are, as this chart implies?  
They seem fine to me.


17 comments:

Unknown said...

Ha! This is interesting to me. I do know about Montana and the bad record. We went on a trip there a few years ago and stayed at 320 Guest Ranch, a fun place. But the road between there and Yellowstone, they said was one of the worst for accidents and advised us to not drive it at night! I guess there is a lot of DUI there and just driving the road in the daytime, you see white wooden crosses all along the road where people have lost their lives. Scary! But I didn't know Montana was the worst though!!!

Dad and Susan said...

Veerry Interesting! Dad and Susan

darlene said...

The roads here in Joshua Tree (CA)are very poorly maintained. I think population has something to do with it. More people, more cars.
There may not be a speed limit in Montana. At any rate, cowboys ARE famous for rowdy behavior. Probably drunkeness, as well. I imagine those long empty, well-maintained roads in MT are easy to speed on!

Mary said...

At least Arizona is consistent: #14for best roads, #13 for deadliest roads. Obviously having better roads doesn't translate to having safer roads.

It's been my experience that our roads in Arizona are consistently horrible, whether in the Phoenix metro area or our small rural communities. So I REALLY feel sorry for drivers in states #15 to 50 for best roads!!

Grandma Honey said...

I don't get it either Mary....because whenever we have gone to AZ, as soon as we cross the border the roads get bumpier. And then someone in the car will invariably say, "Well that's why we pay higher taxes in California so we can have better roads." But California is 3rd from the bottom on best roads and Az is #14 from the top!

Dennis said...

The reason the roads in California seem fine to you is because your dear husband does most of the driving.

Love,
Den

the Rich girl said...

Texas roads really can be terrible. I'd forgotten how bad they were until I was driving through Dallas.

Maybe this survey only took major city roads and highways into account. Dallas roads really are terrible, but out in the suburbs, they aren't too bad.

I wonder what makes a road a bad road. Confusing signs? Potholes? Poor paint jobs? Cracks?

Karen Mortensen said...

See, you shouldn't drive. You need to fly or take a train. It is nice to see our tax dollars at work here.

Robin said...

I quit putting any stock in "lists" when I read one in a major business magazine that ranked San Francisco as the famliy friendliest city in California -come on really.

California has excellent roads - partly because we pay taxes up to yahoo and partly because we don't have the wear and tear of snow etc..
These lists are just silly.

Grandma Honey said...

I went back and read that RD article and it said they based ratings of good roads on: the latest data for spending, congestion, road and bridge condition, and safety. So perhaps a state could have good easy to drive roads, but unsafe bridges. It said the percentage of deficient bridges has increased for the first time in 25 years. Not a good thought.

Grandma Honey said...

Oh and the article said Montana is #3 on the best roads list because of good infrastructure and little congestion. Den thinks that just makes it easier to speed, and drink and drive.

Heidi Garvin said...

You ask where the bad roads in CA are? Clearly, you do not do much driving in Los Angeles! ;-)

When are they supposed to fix them when they are in constant use?

Grandma Honey said...

Good point Heidi!

grandmapeg said...

Craig travels Montana roads a lot and he doesn't complain at all, but I can see why there are those areas of the roads that have the white crosses! Western Montana has the beautiful scenery so driving those roads are quite pleasant. I have to say that I'm surprised Utah is #5 on the best roads list. I live here and I wouldn't rate the roads that high.

Sandi said...

Utah is 5th for the BEST roads? Have they ever BEEN to Utah?? Interesting lists.

Miranda said...

Puerto Rico should be #1 on the deadly list. I guess it isn't considered a state, but if it were man oh man Montana would be in for some serious competition!!

People here drive like maniacs. It is SO unbelievable!!

Susan Anderson said...

I've only known one real cowboy and oddly enough, he was from Helena, Montana. And he WAS reckless. Aren't all rodeo bulldoggers?

(He also drove a pink Mustang, and it scared me to death to ride with him!)

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