New Yorkers Fail “National Drivers Test”

GMAC Insurance Test Says New Yorkers Need to Brush Up On Safety

As thousands of New Yorkers take to the roads this holiday weekend-you may want to be a bit more careful.

A new National Drivers test put out by GMAC Insurance says New Yorkers should do a bit more studying: Empire State drivers scored an average score of 70 percent on the 20-question test -- which puts New York drivers at dead last as 51st in the nation.

And test takers in New Jersey fared only slightly better, scoring an average of 70.5 -- earning them the 50th spot. While the other tri-state area drivers in Connecticut scored an average of 76.3 allowing them to boast the rank of 34th in the nation and if you’re a snowbird, you can feel a little at ease as Florida drivers ranked 41st in the nationwide test.

Which state took top prize? Kansas, with an average score of 82 percent.

The test is now in it’s sixth year and polled 5,202 licensed Americans from 50 states and the District of Columbia. The test gauged knowledge of the rules of the road by administering 20 questions taken from state Department of Motor Vehicles exams.

The study showed that many licensed Americans lack knowledge of the basic rules of the road.

“It’s discouraging to see that overall average test scores are lower than last year,” said Wade Bontrager, senior vice president, GMAC Insurance.
 
If you take a look at the test by region the results reveal that drivers in the Northeast may not be as street savvy as their midwestern brothers.
 
"I don't know  that cab was doing some cool moves. Seems pretty cool good to me," said 27-year-old Jason Collins of Minnesota.
Northeasterners had the lowest average test score of 74.9 percent.  Midwesterners had the highest average test score of 77.5 percent.

In Manhattan, Limo driver Eddy S. who answered a sampling of questions only  got 11 of 20 right.

But he defended his score saying, "Lets put it this way. When I retire. I'm not going to stay in New York."

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