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Why Pennsylvania Is One of the Best States for Drivers
For many, driving in America can often be a unique experience, with some states easier and safer to drive in than others.
But where does Pennsylvania rank among the best states to drive, and how does it compare across a series of common driving factors?
After analyzing and ranking each state according to a range of factors - including the number of license holders, the driving test pass rate, and the number of insured drivers on the roads - we’ve been able to reveal America’s top states to drive in.
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Pennsylvania is One of the Safest States for Drivers
Comparing driving data across each U.S. region, we can reveal that Pennsylvania places ninth among the safest states to drive in, with an overall index score of 52.2 out of 80.
The state performs particularly impressively for the pass rate of the driving examination (83%), which drivers are required to pass before being allowed to drive independently, ranking fourth behind only Virginia (86%), Maryland (85%), and Idaho (85%).
Additionally, drivers in Pennsylvania can apply for their learners permit once they turn 16 – although you only need to be 17 years old to earn your full license here.
Taking top spot overall, however, nearby Delaware records an index score of 59.2. Impressively, Delaware can also claim the highest rate of driving license holders (82.24%), second fewest DUIs per 100,000 drivers, and the joint-oldest age to apply for a learners permit (16).
Meanwhile, in third, we have Virginia (57.94), which also has the highest pass rate of all U.S. states for the driving examination (86%), followed by east coast foursome Massachusetts (57.93), Connecticut (57.4), New Jersey (55.5), and Rhode Island (52.9).
In eighth, Arizona records an index score of 52.6, helped along by having the highest average number of clear days annually (193, more than half the year) and third-highest rate of driving license holders (77.79%).
Following Pennsylvania, Nebraska (51.2) completes the top ten, while Ohio (50.9) and Missouri (50.4) just miss out. Next up, New Hampshire (50.1), Georgia (49.76), and Illinois (49.75) round out the 15 safest states to drive in.
At the other end of the table, however, Alaska is considered the most dangerous state to drive in, due in part to the low average number of clear days – just 61, more than only West Virginia (60), Washington (58), and Vermont (58) – as well as the fact drivers can apply for their learners permit aged 14.
What Are Your Odds of Driving in Pennsylvania?
We’ve compared the safest states to drive in according to an array of common factors, but where does Pennsylvania rank when comparing the odds of becoming an eligible driver?
With moneyline odds of -216, the chance of passing your driving test in Pennsylvania is stronger than nearby New Jersey (-197), West Virginia (-162), and New York (-149) – while Delaware tops the list as the region with the greatest odds of all (-463).
Meanwhile, your chances of coming across an uninsured driver are strongest in Florida (+275), Mississippi (+322), and Louisiana (+355), with Pennsylvania having among the least-likely odds (+1,216).
In fact, there are just eight other states where your chance of coming across an uninsured driver are slimmer, including Maine (+2,122), New York (+1,539), and Massachusetts (+1,513).
Comparing data across the U.S., it’s interesting to see how Pennsylvania ranks among the safest states for drivers – and which regions’ roads are considered the most perilous!
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Methodology
For this campaign, two datasets have been created. The first ranks U.S. states based on how good they are for driving. The second looks at the moneyline odds of having a license and the odds of not being insured.
The driving index considers nine different factors. All U.S. states were ranked and given an index value between 0 and 10. These values were then summed to provide a total score for each state, which were then ranked. The factors are as follows:
• License holders – The percentage of the total population with a full drivers license.
• Knowledge test pass mark – The percentage of total marks required to pass the driving knowledge test.
• Percentage of insured drivers – The percentage of drivers who are insured.
• DUIs per 100,000 drivers – The number of DUIs handed out per 100,000 drivers. Normalized by giving a high score to a low value, and a low score to a high value.
• Road deaths per 100,000 people – The number of road deaths per 100,000 people. Normalized by giving a high score to a low value, and a low score to a high value.
• Gas prices – The average price of a gallon of gas. Normalized by giving a high score to a low value, and a low score to a high value.
• Clear days – The average number of days annually when cloud covers at most 30% of the sky during daylight hours.
• Age for learners permit – The minimum age required to get a learners permit.
• Age for full license – The minimum age required to get a full license.
The most recent data available was used where possible. All data is correct as of 10/17/2022.
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