Allstate Insurance Co. recently released its annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report,” which ranks the country’s largest cities based on car collision frequency to determine which cities have the safest drivers.
For the past eight years, Allstate has analyzed its claims to determine the likelihood that drivers in America’s 200 largest cities will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average (the data does not include cities in Massachusetts, a state not covered by Allstate, as well as Lakewood, Colo., Pembroke Pines, Fla. and West Valley, Utah, where data was unavailable). Internal property damage reported claims were analyzed over a two-year period to ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road construction.
Click “next” to see the top five and bottom five states with the safest drivers from Allstate's list.
1. Sioux Falls, S.D.
Collision likelihood (compared to national average): 27.6% less likely
Population rank: 153
Average years between accidents per driver (compared to national average of 10 years): 13.8
This year's top honor of "America's Safest Driving City" is Sioux Falls, S.D.—the fifth time that the city has held the top spot. According to the report, the average driver in Sioux Falls will experience an auto collision every 13.8 years, which is 27.6 percent less likely than the national average of 10 years.
2. Boise, Idaho
Collision likelihood: 27.3% less likely
Population rank: 102
Average years between accidents: 13.8
Car crash fatalities are at the lowest level they've been since 1949, but still average more than 32,000 every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Boise, Idaho has some of the safest drivers, with its residents being 27.3 percent less likely to get into an accident than the average U.S. driver.
3. Fort Collins, Colo.
Collision likelihood: 26.7% less likely
Population rank: 164
Average years between accidents: 13.6
Fort Collins, Colo. has the lowest population rank among the top and bottom 5 safest driver cities. According to Allstate, different levels and types of traffic, noise and activity, as well as varying road conditions and rules, can make big city driving different than driving in smaller cities or more suburban areas.
4. Madison, Wis.
Collision likelihood: 23% less likely
Population rank: 82
Average years between accidents: 13
When driving in larger cities, such as Madison, Wis., Allstate advises drivers to allow plenty of time to reach a destination. Stop-and-go traffic, gridlock, traffic signal stops, pedestrian walkways and events that create traffic detours can add time to travel.
5. Lincoln, Neb.
Collision likelihood: 19.3% less likely
Population rank: 71
Average years between accidents: 12.4
Another tip for drivers in larger cities is to find out if there are events that may impact traffic, like Cornhuskers football at Lincoln, Neb.'s Memorial Stadium.
191. Glendale, Calif.
Collision likelihood: 77.5% more likely
Population rank: 122
Average years between accidents: 5.6
In smaller cities, Allstate advises drivers to look out for pedestrians. While there are typically fewer pedestrians or obstacles in smaller cities than in large metropolitan areas, there are also typically fewer crosswalks, so pedestrians may be less aware of traffic rules such as where and when to cross the street.
192. Hialeah, Fla.
Collision likelihood: 77.6% more likely
Population rank: 89
Average years between accidents: 5.6
"Minimizing distractions, obeying traffic laws, and using your car's safety features like turn signals and headlights, are all ways to be safer, no matter where you drive," says Mike Roche, senior vice president of claims, Allstate.
193. Providence, R.I.
Collision likelihood: 80.9% more likely
Population rank: 133
Average years between accidents: 5.5
Providence, R.I. is the city with the lowest population rank among the bottom five cities with the safest drivers. Drivers in the city are likely to have an accident every 5.5 years.
194. Baltimore, Md.
Collision likelihood: 87.9% more likely
Population rank: 24
Average years between accidents: 5.3
Baltimore, Md. is the second to last city with the least safe drivers. Residents in Baltimore are 87.9 percent more likely to get into an accident than the average U.S. driver.
195. Washington, D.C.
Collision likelihood: 112.1% more likely
Population rank: 25
Average years between accidents: 4.7
Washington, D.C. is the city with the least safest drivers on Allstate's list. Drivers in the nation's capital are 112.1 percent more likely to get into a car accident than the average American.
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