Insurance company Allstate has released it seventh annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report” revealing the American cities with the best and worst drivers.
And America’s safest driving city is… Fort Collins, Colo. It is the second year in a row that the city has claimed the top spot. The report says the average driver in Fort Collins will experience an auto collision every 14 years. That’s 28.6 percent less likely than the national average of 10 years.
The report is based on Allstate claims data, and it ranks America’s 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which cities have the safest drivers.
Meanwhile, the U.S. city with the worst drivers is Washington D.C. This is Washington’s third consecutive year coming in last place. Other cities joining Washington on the worst list include Baltimore, Los Angeles and Newark, N.J.
“Human behavior is the biggest cause of accidents. It is vital for us to educate American drivers about safe driving behaviors they can demonstrate on the road that will help make our roadways safer,” said Mike Roche, executive vice president of Allstate’s Claim Organization, in a press release.
Among cities with more than one million residents, Phoenix, Ariz. ranked at the top of the safety list. U.S. cities with populations of one million-plus are more likely than the national average to experience a collision.
To help improve your own driving safety, Allstate offers these tips:
- Minimize distractions: Engaging in any other activity while driving – talking on your cell phone, text messaging, changing a radio station, putting on makeup – is a distraction.
- Be aware of road conditions — ice, snow, fog, rain — all of these weather conditions require extra caution and slower speeds.
- Leave a safe distance between your car and others around you: Maintain at least one car length space between your car and the vehicle in front of you for every 10 miles per hour of speed.
- Steer clear of road rage: Reduce stress on the road by allowing plenty of time for travel, planning your route in advance, and altering your schedule or route to avoid congested roads. Remember not to challenge aggressive drivers and stay as far away from them as possible.
- Maintenance matters: Ultimately, safety also depends on the maintenance of your car. Ensure that your car brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery and hoses are in good working order.
View a complete list here (PDF) to see America’s best and worst driving cities. And check out a special series Marketplace Money did on America’s obsession with cars. Plus, explore a map of America’s car culture.
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