Survey Rates Wyoming Drivers Fifth Most Polite In U.S.

A newly released survey by Forbes Advisor rates Wyoming drivers as the fifth-most polite in the United States.

You can see the entire survey here.

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Wyoming drivers taking part in the survey reported relatively low numbers of some hostile behavior often seen in other parts of the country:

Wyoming: Wyoming drivers were least likely in the nation to say that another driver has forced their car off the road (1.5%). They were also second least likely to report that another driver has cut them off on purpose (15.5%) and tried to block their car from changing lanes (21%). 

The survey results seem to show a regional trend of drivers in the west being more polite than some other regions.

Besides Wyoming, Idaho, Washington. and New Mexico ranked in the upper 20 percent of polite behavior among American motorists. But the most polite state in the survey was Delaware, while Arizona had the rudest drivers overall.

Wyoming's neighboring state of South Dakota ranked even higher than the Cowboy State, scoring a third-place finish for having the politest drivers.

Wyoming's relatively rural nature very likely helped the state's score. The number one reason for road rage across the country was "heavy traffic."

The survey used the following metric to gauge the relative politeness or confrontational nature of motorists:

• Percentage of drivers who report that another driver has forced their car off the road: 16% of score.
• Percentage of drivers who report that another driver has exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them: 16% of score.
• Percentage of drivers who report experiencing road rage very frequently from other drivers in their home state: 14% of score.
• Percentage of drivers who report that another driver has tried to block their car from changing lanes: 14% of score.
• Percentage of drivers who report that another driver has cut them off on purpose: 14% of score.
• Percentage of drivers who report that another driver has tailgated their car: 8% of score.
• Percentage of drivers who report that another driver has yelled at them, insulted them, cursed at them or made threats: 6% of score.
• Percentage of drivers who report that another driver has honked at them in frustration: 6% of score.
• Percentage of drivers who report that another driver has made rude or offensive gestures at them: 6% of score.