Skip to main content

Report identifies the D.C. area’s worst drivers

By WTOP Staff

WTOP TALKBACK: So who do you think are the worst drivers? And why? Call the WTOP Talkback Line at 1-877-222-1035. Post a comment in this story, comment on WTOP’s Facebook Page or use #WTOP on Twitter.

WASHINGTON — It’s a question that can start an instant argument among motorists in the region: Who are D.C.’s worst drivers?

Some would say it’s the drivers in the District itself; others say motorists from Maryland. Still more would nominate Virginians as the worst terrors behind the wheel.

Well, the numbers are in.

AAA Mid-Atlantic announced on Tuesday the results of a Howard University study of the 29,725 crashes in the District in 2012. The research shows that the District’s drivers narrowly edge out Marylanders for the dubious honor of motorists involved in the most accidents in D.C., 37 percent to 33.1 percent.

Virginia motorists were involved in the fewest District accidents, with 13.8 percent.

The remainder came from other states or was unknown. The study included numbers from 2010 and 2011, which showed the numbers staying fairly consistent, though Maryland was slightly ahead of the District in 2011.

John B. Townsend, of AAA Mid-Atlantic, says that the numbers are particularly striking given that nearly three-quarters of the District’s workforce comes from outside the city.

He adds in a statement that the high rate of accidents leads to an average annual car-insurance premium of $1,800, the highest in the region. And all of these crashes have an economic effect: “The estimated economic and societal impact of motor vehicle crashes in the city was just shy of $1 billion in 2010 or $1,659 per capita,” Townsend says.

The survey also found that men got into nearly two-thirds of accidents in the District in 2012.

State No. of Collisions Percentage
  2010 2011 2012 2010 2011 2012
DC 9,556 10,423 11,007 32.8% 35.6% 37.0%
MD 10,853 10,923 9,838 37.2% 37.3% 33.1%
VA 4,024 4,129 4,106 13.8% 14.1% 13.8%
Other 2,386 2,598 2,545 8.2% 8.9% 8.6%
Unknown 2,358 1,188 2,229 8.1% 4.1% 7.5%
Total 29,177 29,261 29,725 100%** 100% 100%

*Source: DDOT and Transportation Safety Data Center at Howard University. **Total does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

Follow @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote