Colorado among the top three worst states in America for road rage — and it’s getting worse
May 26, 2026, 4:20 PM
Colorado may be known for its laid-back lifestyle, but that easygoing reputation apparently vanishes behind the wheel.
The Centennial State ranks as the third worst in the country for road rage, according to a study from ConsumerAffairs that analyzed fatal crashes involving careless or reckless driving, violations for dangerous driving and traffic incidents involving gun violence across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Colorado scored 83.19 out of 100 — trailing only Louisiana and New Mexico — and climbed one spot from its No. 4 ranking the year before.
The driving force behind Colorado’s ranking: speeding and aggressive driving tickets. The state logged 1.81 violations per 100,000 residents for aggressive or careless driving and speeding, the highest rate of any state and more than eight times the national average of 0.22, according to the report. Colorado’s rate of traffic incidents involving gun violence also landed above the national average, at 0.72 per 100,000 people compared with 0.42 nationally. Fatal accidents involving aggressive or careless driving accounted for 38.1% of all fatal crashes in the state in 2023.
The ranking is hard to square with the state’s otherwise friendly reputation. Other recent surveys have called Colorado one of the kindest and friendliest states in the nation, but the Fort Collins Coloradoan noted the contradiction, writing that “Colorado’s laid-back vibe isn’t carrying over to the roads.” ConsumerAffairs noted that state and local officials appear to be cracking down, citing recent laws expanding automatic speed-camera enforcement and toughening penalties for cellphone use while driving.
Nationally, Louisiana took the top spot for the second consecutive year, with nearly 60% of the state’s fatal crashes and traffic deaths linked to aggressive or careless driving — four times the national average. New Mexico was second, driven by a rate of gun-related traffic incidents nearly four times the national figure. Maine was named the calmest state for driving, followed by Iowa and California.
The 10 states with the worst road rage, per ConsumerAffairs: Louisiana, New Mexico, Colorado, Arkansas, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Hawaii, Nevada and Florida.
