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By the sheer numbers, Queensland and NSW saw the most actual road deaths in the same time period – but they also have higher populations.

The worst drivers by driver perception

And finally, who do drivers perceive as the worst drivers in Australia? In a survey commissioned by iSelect in early 2025, 29% of respondents chose NSW as the home to the worst drivers. Victoria and Queensland took out second and third respectively. NSW was also deemed to contain the fastest drivers. However, it must be noted that there weren’t an equal number of respondents from each state, which could skew the results.

Location tracking app Life360 also polled over 2,000 Aussie drivers, and NSW was once again voted as Australia’s worst drivers by 34% of respondents. NSW drivers were judged as speedy and aggressive, while Victorians were perceived as more likely to ignore the road rules.

In contrast, which state has the best drivers?

According to that same iSelect survey, NSW drivers were deemed not only the worst drivers but also the best drivers in Australia, followed by Victoria and Queensland. So as far as driver perception goes – perhaps it’s all in the eye of the beholder!

If we go off road fatalities and no-seatbelt infringements, then the ACT edges forwards as safer drivers. South Australian drivers were the least likely to be caught speeding, Northern Territorians were the least likely to be caught driving using their phone, and Tasmanians were the least likely to be caught driving without a licence. So just like the worst drivers, it’s difficult to pinpoint just one state or territory as home to the best drivers. Heck, maybe we’re all the worst and the best depending on the day.

All things considered: it’s subjective

We might swear that the worst drivers are those we encounter every day, or that they’re all in the next state over. What we do know is that each state and territory has its own unique infrastructure, driver education, road rules and driving culture, which all go some way to explaining the perceived and actual differences in driving behaviours. Sadly for everyone who’d otherwise gloat there is no clear-cut answer – but don’t let us stop you blaming whoever you want to blame.

If you are a bit wary about sharing the road with Australia's worst drivers, here’s some good news; it’s easy to filter great second-hand cars by ANCAP safety ratings with Carma. You can search and filter in the blink of an indicator, and have your next car delivered to your door complete with a 7-day trial period and 3-month warranty.