NORTHBROOK, Ill., Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Allstate
Insurance Company (NYSE: ALL) today released its seventh annual
"Allstate America's Best Drivers Report™." 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 claim data.
This year's top honor of "America's Safest Driving City" is
Fort Collins, Colo., the second
year in the row for the city at the top spot. According to the
report, the average driver in Fort
Collins will experience an auto collision every 14 years,
which is 28.6 percent less likely than the national average of 10
years.
"Allstate's Best Driver's Report was created to boost the
country's discussion on safe driving. Each year we hope the report
will increase awareness on the importance of being tolerant and
attentive behind the wheel," said Mike
Roche, executive vice president, Allstate's Claim
Organization. "We want to recognize the city of Fort Collins for again being the safest
driving city in America, and we salute all of America's safe
drivers, who help make our communities better places to live, work
and raise families."
Fort Collins city officials
credit their residents with earning the safe driving
recognition.
"For the second year in a row, we've earned the title of the
safest driving city in America due to the responsible behavior and
safe driving habits of our residents," said Fort Collins Mayor Karen Weitkunat. "Safety is a critical component
to creating a world-class city; we have our residents to thank as
they are undoubtedly the reason Fort
Collins is one of the best places to live, work, and play.
I'm honored to be a part of a community that is consistently
recognized as one of the nation's best."
Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few years,
but crash fatalities still average more than 32,000 every year
despite technological advances, according to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration.
"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 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 your car. Ensure that your car
brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery and hoses are in
good working order.
The Report
For the past seven 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 2008 to December 2009) 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 10 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 www.allstatenewsroom.com]
The Top Ten
For the second time in the report's seven-year history,
Fort Collins was revealed as the
safest driving city.
|
|
City &
Overall Ranking
|
Collision
Likelihood Compared to National
Average
|
Average
Years Between Collisions
|
|
1. Fort Collins,
Colo.
|
28.6% less
likely
|
14.0
|
|
2. Boise,
Idaho
|
25.5% less
likely
|
13.4
|
|
3. Lincoln,
Neb.
|
22.7% less
likely
|
12.9
|
|
4. Chandler,
Ariz.
|
20.4% less
likely
|
12.6
|
|
5. Huntsville,
Ala.
|
18.9% less
likely
|
12.3
|
|
6. Knoxville,
Tenn.
|
18.3% less
likely
|
12.2
|
|
7. Springfield,
Mo.
|
17.9% less
likely
|
12.2
|
|
8. Reno, Nev.
|
16.6% less
likely
|
12.0
|
|
9. Eugene,
Ore.
|
16.3% less
likely
|
11.9
|
|
10. Chattanooga,
Tenn.
|
16.3% less
likely
|
11.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
For the seventh year in a row, 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 Compared to National
Average
|
Average
Years Between Collisions
|
|
55. Phoenix,
Ariz.
|
1.1% more
likely
|
10.1
|
|
117. San Diego,
Calif.
|
12.7% more
likely
|
8.9
|
|
142 San Antonio,
Texas
|
23.3% more
likely
|
8.1
|
|
155. Houston,
Texas
|
28.7% more
likely
|
7.8
|
|
157. Chicago,
Ill.
|
30.0% more
likely
|
7.7
|
|
167. Dallas,
Texas
|
32.9% more
likely
|
7.5
|
|
171. New York,
N.Y.
|
37.6% more
likely
|
7.3
|
|
182. Los Angeles,
Calif.
|
50.8% more
likely
|
6.6
|
|
188. Philadelphia,
Pa.
|
60.2% more
likely
|
6.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To view the complete Allstate America's Best Drivers Report, or
to see previous year's results, log onto
www.allstatenewsroom.com.
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.
About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest
publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good
Hands With Allstate®" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary
as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to
help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and
better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance
products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through
Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive
financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and
1-800 Allstate®.
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.
SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company