Personal Injury Law

Traveling - watch the road and remember where you are?

By Edward Bills

The Allstate Insurance Company today released its fifth annual "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 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.

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.

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 and 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 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.

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.

Full post as published by Bodily Injury Blog on July 09, 2009 (boomark / email).