Fifth Annual 'Allstate America's Best Drivers Report(TM)' Reveals Which Cities Have the Safest Drivers
July 08 2009 - 8:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Allstate Rewards 'America's Most Improved Driving City' with Free
Gas NORTHBROOK, Ill., July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Allstate
Insurance Company (NYSE:ALL) today released its fifth annual
"Allstate America's Best Drivers Report(TM)." The report ranks
America's 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to
identify which cities have the safest drivers according to Allstate
data. This year's report highlights America's most improved
motorists. This year's top honor of "America's Most Improved
Driving City" is Alexandria, VA. According to the report, the
average driver in Alexandria will experience an auto collision
every 7.2 years, an improvement of 1.8 years since 2005. Allstate
will congratulate motorists in Alexandria for their safe driving
improvements with a free gas giveaway today, delivering some
unexpected relief from high gas prices. "We are thrilled to see
cities making progress toward keeping America's roadways safer,"
said Mike Roche, senior vice president, Allstate's Claim
Organization. "Allstate has a strong history in promoting safe
driving, and The Allstate America's Best Driver's Report was
created to facilitate an ongoing dialogue on safe driving that
saves lives. We salute America's best drivers and recognize their
improved driving skills, which make all of our communities better
places to live, work and raise families." Alexandria city officials
were proud to be recognized for their progress in driving safety,
but realize there is still room for more improvements and continue
working with residents to help make roads even safer. "We are very
pleased that Alexandria has been recognized as America's Most
Improved Driving City. This important recognition demonstrates that
our residents are committed to safe, attentive driving practices on
our roads. We will continue to encourage Alexandria drivers to be
safe and smart behind the wheel, hopefully ensuring that accidents
rates will remain low," says Alexandria, VA Mayor William D.
Euille. Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few
years, but crash fatalities still average around an alarming 40,000
every year despite technological advances according to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Human error is the biggest
cause of accidents. It is vital for us to educate drivers across
the country on the importance of being tolerant and attentive
behind the wheel," said Roche. Allstate offers the following safe
driving tips drivers should consider: -- 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 one's car. Ensure that
car brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery, and hoses are
in good working order. The Report For the past five years, Allstate
actuaries have conducted an in-depth analysis of company claim data
to determine the likelihood drivers in America's 200 largest cities
will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national
average. Internal property damage reported claims were analyzed
over a two-year period (from January 2006 to December 2007) to
ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences
such as weather or road construction. A weighted average of the
two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report
defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property
damage claim. Allstate's auto policies represent about 11.3 percent
of all U.S. auto policies, making this report a realistic snapshot
of what's happening on America's roadways. [Complete report
available at http://www.allstatenewsroom.com]/ America's
Most-Improved Motorists Alexandria, VA topped the most improved
chart improving its years between accidents by 1.8 years and
climbed from the 194 spot in 2005 to 174 in 2009. Virginia drivers
in general appear to observe the safety call. Five out of the top
10 most improved driving cities were in Virginia (Alexandria,
Hampton, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Richmond). City &
Overall Ranking 2005 - 2009 Increase in Years Between Accidents
174. Alexandria, Va. 1.8 9. Lexington-Fayette, Ky. 1.7 177.
Arlington, Texas 1.6 40. Hampton, Va. 1.3 101. Virginia Beach, Va.
1.3 65. Aurora, Colo. 1.2 57. Chesapeake, Va. 1.2 11. Reno, Nev.
1.2 31. Richmond, Va. 1.2 100. Shreveport, La. 1.0 The Top Ten
Drivers from Sioux Falls, S.D. maintained their status as the
safest driving city in this year's report for the fourth
consecutive year. However, two new cities championed their way into
the top ten, Eugene, Ore. and Boise, Idaho. City & Overall
Ranking Collision Likelihood Average Years Compared to National
Between Average Collisions 1. Sioux Falls, S.D. -26.1% less likely
13.5 2. Fort Collins, Colo. -24.6% less likely 13.3 3. Chattanooga,
Tenn. -21.4% less likely 12.7 4. Cedar Rapids, Iowa -20.7% less
likely 12.6 5. Knoxville, Tenn. -19.0% less likely 12.3 6. Fort
Wayne, Ind. -18.4% less likely 12.2 7. Lexington-Fayette, Ky.
-17.7% less likely 12.1 8. Eugene, Ore. -16.3% less likely 11.9 9.
Boise, Idaho -15.4% less likely 11.8 10. Colorado Springs, Colo.
-15.0% less likely 11.8 Additional "Road" Scholars Drivers in U.S.
cities with populations of one million-plus are more likely than
the national average to experience a collision. Motorists in
Phoenix topped the list in this category making them the safest big
city commuters. Cities with More Than One Million Residents... City
& Overall Ranking Collision Likelihood Average Years Compared
to National Between Average Collisions 95. Phoenix, Ariz. 8.8% more
likely 9.2 108. San Diego, Calif. 13.0% more likely 8.8 145. New
York, N.Y. 25.5% more likely 8.0 161. Houston, Texas 32.0% more
likely 7.6 168. San Antonio, Texas 36.3% more likely 7.3 170.
Chicago, Ill. 37.6% more likely 7.3 173. Dallas, Texas 39.5% more
likely 7.2 184. Los Angeles, Calif. 46.6% more likely 6.8 188.
Philadelphia, Pa. 57.1% more likely 6.4 For more information on how
your safe driving record can save you money on your insurance,
including cash off your renewal bill and cash off your deductible,
contact an Allstate agent or call 1-800-ALLSTATE. To discuss the
Best Drivers report and share your thoughts on a city's ranking,
log onto http://www.goodhandscommunity.org/ To view the complete
"Allstate America's Best Drivers Report," or to see previous year's
results, log onto http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/. The Allstate
Corporation (NYSE:ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held
personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good
Hands With Allstate(R)" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection
and retirement to help individuals in approximately 17 million
households protect what they have today and better prepare for
tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such
as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately
14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in
the U.S. and Canada, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800
Allstate(R). Encompass(R) Insurance brand property and casualty
products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The
Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental
accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement
products designed for individual, institutional and worksite
customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies,
independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.
Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial
Group products and services at myallstatefinancial.com. Note: The
Allstate data excludes cities in the state of Massachusetts. Other
cities not represented by any zip codes found in Allstate data:
West Valley, Utah, Coral Springs, Fla., Lakewood, Colo., and
Pembroke Pines, Fla. The Allstate Best Drivers Report is produced
solely to boost the country's discussion about safe driving and to
increase awareness of the importance of being tolerant and
attentive behind the wheel. The report is not used to determine
auto insurance rates. A state specific adjustment was utilized for
the Michigan cities to account for the unique coverage offered in
that state. DATASOURCE: The Allstate Insurance Company CONTACT:
Krissy Posey or Raleigh Floyd, both of The Allstate Insurance
Company, +1-847-402-5600 Web Site: http://www.allstate.com/
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