Study: Washington among worst states in America for drivers

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A new study ranks Washington as one of the worst states for drivers. Sixty-seven percent of roads are considered "poor or mediocre." Twenty-six percent of bridges in Washington are "structurally deficient." And the estimated percentage of uninsured motorists on the road is 16.1 percent.

The Bellingham Herald reports CarInsurance.com rates Washington in 42nd place for drivers' cost and convenience. Utah is No. 1, followed by Minnesota, New Hampshire, Virginia and Vermont.

The date that informed the rankings came from public and private agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Insurance Information Institute.

At the bottom of the list below Washington were California, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Wisconsin and Mississippi.

Other Washington statistics that added to is ranking included:

—Estimated extra cost of car repair due to bad roads: $272 vs. $197 in Utah.

—Average cost of a gallon of gas: $2.29, the fourth highest of all 50 states behind California, Hawaii and Nevada.