District drivers, this DCist included, often claim that drivers from Maryland and Virginia are responsible for the city’s traffic woes. All too often a D.C. driver stuck behind someone driving too slowly or not willing to run a yellow light will look for clues in the offenders license plate — anything bearing the words “Virginia” or “Maryland” will provoke an irate “Well they just don’t know how to drive in the city!”

Is there something about District drivers that makes us more adept at negotiating city streets? Are the wide avenues, numerous cul-de-sacs, and stretches of suburban bliss that characterize Virginia and Maryland recipes for ignorant and careless city driving? Maybe, maybe not. But this much has finally been proven: drivers in Virginia know the rules of the road better, and would pass a driving test today in higher numbers than their D.C. and Maryland counterparts.

In a nationwide test, the GMAC Insurance National Driver’s Test found that 1 in 10 Americans — 20 million drivers — would fail a drivers test if given again today. Northeasten and Mid-Atlantic states fared worst — 20 percent of drivers didn’t seem to know the basic rules of the road — while the Pacific Northwest seemed to produce more knowledgable drivers. Rhode Island topped out as the worst state, Oregon the best.

The District and Maryland tied at 44th place in how well their drivers fared on the test — only 79.8 percent would pass — while Virginia enjoyed a three-way tie with Alabama and Nevada for 15th place — 84.7 percent.

So what does this mean? Scientifically, not much. Practically, well, it may mean that those stick-to-the-rules Virginians just can’t seem to deal with driving in a city, where traffic rules are naturally more flexible than in the ‘burbs and are often treated more as suggestions than as actual laws. Virginians may have the book-smarts, but they lack the street-smarts.

So, next time you District drivers find yourselves fuming at the incompetence of a fellow road warrior, remember this — it’s all Virginia’s fault. Maybe.

The image above comes from Yahoo! Maps and Traffic.