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‘Reckless’ Gen Z drivers: The states where young people are wracking up serious wrecks

Nypost · · 499 words · By Jeanne Erickson
Regional Safety Disparities Generational Driving Safety
open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/23/us-news/gen-z-drivers-are-car-azy-study-compares-u…

psychologyDetected Techniques

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Loaded Language 90% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
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Name Calling / Labeling 70% confidence
Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

17 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

info Single Source 8
schedule Pending 7
help Insufficient Evidence 2
info
“Montana’s Gen Z drivers are the most dangerous, followed by Wyoming and South Carolina, according to the report”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists only of dictionary definitions of the word 'according'. No actual data from the report regarding Montana, Wyoming, or South Carolina was found in the search results.
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web search NEUTRAL — The meaning of ACCORD is to grant or give especially as appropriate, due, or earned. How to use accord in a sentence. Did you know? Synonym Discussion of Accord.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/according
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Phrasal verb accord with something (Definition of according from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/accordin…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The term according to can be used to attribute something reported — according to the news, the airports are closed (even though according to your friend, they're still open). It also refers to agreeme…
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/according
info
“New York Zoomers are the safest drivers”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence consists of general information about Gen Digital, a guide to generations, and a company website. There is no mention of New York drivers' safety rankings in the provided evidence.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Gen Digital Inc. (formerly Symantec Corporation and NortonLifeLock Inc.) is a multinational software company co- headquartered in both Tempe, Arizona (USA) and Prague, Czech Republic (EU).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gen_Digital
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — We're always looking for smart, fearless and dedicated people to join the global Gen family. Want to help today’s and tomorrow’s generations take control of their digital lives?
https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dec 30, 2025 · If you're wondering, "What generation am I?" here are generations by year and their names. See which generation you are and find out what comes after Gen Alpha.
https://parade.com/1113130/jessicasager/generation-names-and…
info
“New Jersey drivers riding their bumpers as the fifth safest”
SINGLE SOURCE
The New York Post reports that New Jersey ranked 46th with a low recklessness score of 9.91. While this supports the idea of them being among the safest, only one news source (NY Post) provides this specific ranking data.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 3 hours ago ... New Jersey performed particularly well, ranking 46th with one of the lowest recklessness scores in the country at 9.91. The state reported just ...
https://nypost.com/2026/05/23/us-news/gen-z-drivers-are-car-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mar 29, 2026 ... The report found Gen Z, ages 15 to 29 years old, has the highest total crash fatality rate of all the generations and are involved in crash ...
https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/best-worst-ge…
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web search NEUTRAL — Feb 10, 2026 ... Gen Z is the most reckless generation in 29 states, while baby boomers don't rank worst in any state. Jump to insight. Which generation is ...
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/worst-drivers-by-…
info
“The study, released by Wilshire Law Firm, analyzed the driving records of individuals between the ages of 15 and 29, focusing on the five-year period from 2019 to 2023.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided for this claim only describes the Wilshire Law Firm's general business and legal services. There is no mention of a specific study analyzing driving records of 15-29 year olds from 2019 to 2023.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Wilshire Law Firm is a nationally recognized personal injury, employment, and consumer class action law firm known for its dedicated legal team and commitment to client advocacy.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWgIu3oAUG9qKefgvQhbFYQ
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web search NEUTRAL — Wilshire Law Firm® has been distinguished by Best Law Firms® in the United States annually since 2020 in either local Los Angeles rankings as tier 2 for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs (2020),…
https://wilshirelawfirm.com/
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web search NEUTRAL — Find out what works well at Wilshire Law Firm from the people who know best. Get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, top office locations, and CEO insights. Compare pay for popular roles and read abou…
https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Wilshire-Law-Firm
info
“The national average for Gen Z-related accidents sits at 14.81 per 100,000 people”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence includes a Wikipedia page on Millennials, a YouTube video on height, and a Quora landing page. None of these sources mention a national average for Gen Z accidents of 14.81 per 100,000.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Millennials, also known as Generation Y or Gen Y, are the demographic cohort following Generation X and preceding Generation Z. Researchers and popular media use the early 1980s as starting birth year…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennials
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTdcqh8aDz0
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web search NEUTRAL — Quora is a place to gain and share knowledge. It's a platform to ask questions and connect with people who contribute unique insights and quality answers. This empowers people to learn from each other…
https://www.quora.com/
info
“Nearly 6,000 motorists were killed in crashes due to speeding by Gen Z drivers in 2023, reported NHTSA data per Consumer Affairs.”
SINGLE SOURCE
ConsumerAffairs explicitly states that nearly 6,000 motorists were killed in crashes due to speeding by Gen Z drivers in 2023. Other sources mention NHTSA data generally but do not confirm this specific Gen Z figure.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Nearly 6,000 motorists were killed in crashes due to speeding by drivers in Gen Z in 2023. That’s 9.02 deaths per 100,000 Gen Zers, more than two and a half times the national rate.
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/worst-drivers-by-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Additionally, nearly 330,000 people were injured in speeding-related crashes. Thirty-five percent of male drivers and 21% of female drivers in the 15- to 20-year-old age group involved in fatal traffi…
https://www.schoolbusfleet.com/news/speed-kills-nhtsa-report…
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web search NEUTRAL — According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, the number of fatalities in the state due to speeding has increased nearly every year since 2013. In 2023, there were 257 car …
https://www.thelongofirm.com/posts/cdot-launches-campaign-to…
info
“That’s 9.02 deaths per 100,000 Zoomers, more than two and a half times the national rate.”
SINGLE SOURCE
ConsumerAffairs reports the specific figure of 9.02 deaths per 100,000 Zoomers. No other provided source corroborates this specific statistic.
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web search NEUTRAL — Death rates from road traffic accidents by country, per 100,000 inhabitants, world map (WHO 2019)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-r…
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web search NEUTRAL — The year’s already over? Let’s look back.Help keep Vox free for everybody: http://www.vox.com/give-now Subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications (...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJs_64OUpEs
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web search NEUTRAL — Nationwide Summary. Breakdown of Speeding versus Non-Speeding Drivers by Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Nationally in 2023. National comparison of speeding versus non-speeding drivers in 2023 with …
https://safetrec.berkeley.edu/2025-safetrec-traffic-safety-f…
info
“Montana topped the chart with a reckless driving score of 99.74.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim discusses Bobby Saadian, road rage in LA, and general reckless driving definitions. There is no mention of Montana's specific score of 99.74.
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web search NEUTRAL — Beverly Hills California attorney Bobby Saadian chats about the Mass Tort Nexus, Four Days to Mass Tort Success Course...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ1zbzOwMcQ
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web search NEUTRAL — Los Angeles has a Commute Dissatisfaction Score and Inefficiency Score of 88, reflecting challenges in its congested road network. With a Total Road Rage Score of 63.25, it is a hotspot for driver fru…
https://www.reyeslaw.com/road-rage-capitals/
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web search NEUTRAL — Examples of Reckless Driving in California. Reckless driving can take many forms, including: Excessive Speeding: Driving far above the posted speed limit. Aggressive Lane Changes: Swerving between lan…
https://wilshirelawfirm.com/blog/what-is-considered-reckless…
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“The state recorded 23.79 Gen Z driver accidents per 100,000 people and nearly the same number of fatalities at 23.88.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this specific claim.
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“Wyoming ranked second with a score of 98.00 and had the highest speeding-related fatality rate in the study at 11.46 per 100,000 people.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this specific claim.
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“South Carolina followed in third place, with more than 24 accidents and fatalities per 100,000 people involving Gen Z drivers.”
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“New Mexico and Arkansas rounded out the top five”
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“Mississippi, South Dakota, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas also placed in the top 10.”
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“Gen Z drivers from the Empire State are number one — the safest drivers overall, earning the lowest recklessness score of just 2.48.”
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“Massachusetts and New Hampshire also ranked among the safest states”
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“New Jersey performed particularly well, ranking 46th with one of the lowest recklessness scores in the country at 9.91.”
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“The state reported just 7.54 accidents involving Gen Z drivers per 100,000 people”
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info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.