The American publication Wheels Away conducted a survey to determine which drivers are the most honest in the United States, based on a sample of 4,100 individuals across the country. Unfortunately, the survey does not include Canadian provinces, but it still provides a very good snapshot of the honesty of our neighbours to the south.
Several interesting findings
Through a series of questions and reactions to hypothetical scenarios, the organization compiled an honesty score. Among the results, it identified the states where drivers claim to be the most honest when involved in an infraction. One of the most common scenarios was examined: do you leave your contact information after a minor parking lot collision? Which states are considered the most “honest”? Idaho, Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, and Maine.
Does the car brand also say something?
Beyond individual behaviour, the organization also observed trends related to the honesty of owners of specific automotive brands. According to Wheels Away, geography plays a role, but so does the brand of vehicle driven by the “offender,” which can influence overall honesty.
The top 10 U.S. car brands with the least honest drivers
| Rank | Brand | Avg. Score (out of 80) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mini | 57.31 |
| 2 | Acura | 58.00 |
| 3 | Volvo | 58.79 |
| 4 | Ram | 59.21 |
| 5 | Pontiac | 59.50 |
| 6 | Lexus | 59.77 |
| 7 | Audi | 59.82 |
| 8 | Tesla | 59.86 |
| 9 | GM | 60.15 |
| 10 | Chrysler | 60.40 |
There is therefore this “Top 10” of the “worst” brands, but at the other end of the spectrum, the most honest drivers are those behind the wheel of Mitsubishi with 64 points, followed by Infiniti (63.29), Lincoln (63.12), Mazda (62.91), and Jeep with 62.32 points.
What about speeding?
The survey goes further by asking a more specific question about how drivers react when caught speeding. To justify these offences, drivers often cite excuses such as the possibility of being late or the idea that posted speed limits are merely suggested speeds rather than strict rules. Among all brands, one stands out: Tesla. Tesla drivers are the most likely to look for reasons to justify their speed. MINI and Acura drivers also rank among the most prone to making excuses, occupying second and third place respectively. Here are the 10 “worst” brands in this category.
The car brands whose drivers are most likely to make excuses for speeding
| Rank | Brand | % Making Excuses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla | 52.94 % |
| 2 | Volvo | 47.06 % |
| 3 | Mini | 43.75 % |
| 4 | Acura | 43.59 % |
| 5 | Audi | 43.18 % |
| 6 | Volkswagen | 41.49 % |
| 7 | Kia | 37.16 % |
| 8 | Hyundai | 37.05 % |
| 9 | Lexus | 35.90 % |
| 10 | Subaru | 35.89 % |
We wonder which brand would come first in Canada!
