Kentucky among worst states in country for driving in rain, study finds

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - People in the Tri-State are no strangers to rain-- but why are we so bad driving in it?

To be more specific, it's those on the road in Kentucky.

A report from Safewise, a home security company, ranked The Bluegrass State as the third most dangerous for driving in the rain.

According to the report, Kentucky had the second-highest number of rain crashes at 67, with 71 fatalities. The chance of being involved in such a crash is 1.51 in 100,000 people.

The rankings are based on numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2016 crash data.

North Carolina tops the list with 112 crashes and 117 fatalities. In the rankings, Arkansas is the worst state in the nation for driving in the rain.

Only two of the most dangerous states for rain driving are also in the top five states for the most rainfall: Alabama and Mississippi. Hawaii has the most rain, yet ranks No. 39 for rain-related crashes.

There are some simple things you can do to improve your odds on treacherous roads:

• Check the tires, wipers, fluids, lights, and indicators—make sure they’re in working order and ready for wet roads.
• Buckle up.
• Turn on lights for safety—visibility can be your best friend in a storm.
• Always use the indicators when changing lanes, turning, etc.
• Stay about twenty seconds behind other cars in case you have to stop suddenly.
• Don’t slam on the brakes.
• If you do slide, turn into the direction of the slide.

As for the worst states driving in the snow? Wyoming is the most dangerous, followed by Vermont, Montana, Idaho and Maine.