Minneapolis, Gen Z and Infiniti Drivers Most Prone to Speeding — Here’s a Breakdown in 50 Largest US Cities

Written by  Michelle Lambright Black

Edited by  Becca Stanek

+ 1 More

Updated Jan 20, 2026

Going a few extra miles per hour may seem innocent enough at first, but it can turn into a dangerous habit over time. Issues stemming from speeding show up most clearly in Minneapolis, according to LendingTree research: Drivers in the city record 7.5 speeding-related incidents per 1,000 drivers, the highest rate in any of the 50 largest U.S. cities.

Of course, Minneapolis has plenty of company at the top of the list, and speeding patterns extend far beyond geography. The data also reveals clear generational differences and trends across different car brands. Gen Z drivers stand out with speeding incident rates that double those of millennials. And the incident rates of Infiniti drivers exceed all other major car makes. Speed also plays a major role in fatal crashes in several major U.S. cities.

Key findings

Minneapolis has highest speeding-related incident rate

LendingTree examined speeding in the 50 largest U.S. cities by population. Among that list, Minneapolis drivers recorded the highest number of speeding-related incidents, with 7.5 per 1,000 drivers. Milwaukee follows at 7.4, and Tucson, Ariz., ranks third at 6.6.

These high rates raise the question of why speeding appears more common in these areas. Several factors likely play a role: Traffic patterns, weather and commuting habits can all influence driving behavior.

How does exceeding the speed limit affect insurance costs? Rob Bhatt, LendingTree auto insurance expert and licensed insurance agent, explains that speeding tickets don’t increase a city’s insurance rates the way accidents do, which is good news for people who live in places with high speeding rates.

“If you get a speeding ticket, you’re likely to see your rates go up for a few years,” Bhatt says. “However, speeding itself doesn’t impact an insurance company’s costs. Accidents, on the other hand, cost insurance companies money in the form of claims payments.”

Meanwhile, cities with lower speeding incident rates show a very different pattern:

Notably, all three cities with the fewest speeding incidents tend to have dense urban centers and frequent congestion. Slower traffic often reduces opportunities for driving at higher speeds. 

Full rankings: Cities with highest speeding-related incident rates

Young drivers have highest incident rates

Gen Z drivers lead every age group when it comes to speeding incidents, with 5.4 per 1,000 drivers in the 50 largest cities. This figure is double the rate of millennials, who record 2.7 speeding incidents per 1,000 drivers. Rates among Generation Xers (2.2) and baby boomers (2.0) are even lower.

For reference, LendingTree defines generations using Pew Research Center guidelines:

According to Bhatt, the fact that younger drivers struggle with speeding so much more than older generations isn’t unexpected.

“People tend to become more risk-averse as they age,” Bhatt says. “Younger drivers tend to be riskier than older drivers. They also don’t have as much driving experience as older drivers, so they may not be aware of things like appropriate speeds for driving conditions and how speed limits can change in different areas.”

Speeding habits among the young may also play a key role in why younger drivers pay higher insurance rates.

However, LendingTree analysts also see a drop in speeding-related incidents across all generations compared to previous years. Bhatt believes that drivers respond to the financial consequences after the first ticket.

“Once you’ve dealt with the cost of a speeding ticket,” Bhatt says, “you’re likely going to be more cognizant about avoiding another one in the future. This is the type of wisdom you gain with age.”

Once you’ve dealt with the cost of a speeding ticket, you’re likely going to be more cognizant about avoiding another one in the future. This is the type of wisdom you gain with age.

Rob Bhatt

LendingTree auto insurance expert and licensed insurance agent

Infiniti drivers are speediest

For the most part, speeding-related incident rates stay very consistent across most car brands. Even so, a few differences stand out. Infiniti leads all vehicle makes when it comes to speeding-related incidents, with 3.5 incidents per 1,000 drivers. Tesla, Volkswagen and Mercury follow, with 3.4 incidents each.

At the bottom of the list, Chrysler, Land Rover, Lexus and Cadillac tie, each with 2.2 incidents per 1,000 drivers. The small gap between the top and bottom, however, shows that drivers behave similarly across most makes. 

Full rankings: Vehicle makes with highest speeding-related incident rates

Speed is major factor in fatal crashes in North Carolina, Texas

Speed shows up in a large share of severe crashes in many cities. Raleigh, N.C., records the highest percentage of fatal accidents involving speeding — speed factors into 60.5% of fatal crashes there. Charlotte, another North Carolina city, also places in the top 10, with speed a factor in 41.7% of fatal car accidents.

The pattern stretches beyond the Carolinas. Kansas City, Mo., Portland, Los Angeles and Detroit all rank near the top as well. Finally, Texas cities account for three of the top 10 cities with the highest percentages of fatal accidents involving speeding: Fort Worth, Arlington and El Paso.

The high percentages suggest that speeding contributes to many of the most severe outcomes on the road. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), higher speeds reduce reaction time and increase injury risk in a crash.

Meanwhile, cities with the lowest percentages of fatal crashes involving speeding show different patterns. Three of the bottom 10 cities are in Florida. Miami ranks last, with only 4.5% of fatal crashes being speeding-related. Jacksonville ranks near the bottom at 6.6%, and Tampa rounds out the Florida trio at 20.4%.

Full rankings: Cities with highest percentage of fatal crashes involving speeding

Taking the slow road: Expert tips on curbing speeding habits

Speeding is not only dangerous — it can also cause your car insurance rates to spike. If you’re looking for ways to break the habit of speeding, Bhatt recommends the following tips: 

Methodology

Researchers analyzed tens of millions of QuoteWizard by LendingTree auto insurance quotes from 2025 through October.

Researchers calculated the rate of speeding-related incidents (speeding tickets or violations) per 1,000 drivers in the 50 largest U.S. cities by population. We followed the same process across these cities to determine the:

To define generations, LendingTree analysts used the following ranges from the Pew Research Center:

Finally, LendingTree researchers analyzed 2023 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data using the Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST).