Allstate reports that Pennsylvania has the 6th and 22nd most dangerous cities for driving, according to their "2013 America's Best Drivers Report."
The Allstate Insurance Company released its 9th annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report" on 27 August. Based on insurance claims information, Allstate ranks the country's largest 200 cities in terms of "car collision frequency" in an attempt to figure out which cities have the best and worst drivers.
Allstate's report shows that Philadelphia ranks as one of the least safe driving cities in the entire country, coming in at number six on the list. According to Allstate, the average Philadelphian gets into an accident about every six years. The study also shows that Philadelphia drivers are 65.9% likely to get into an accident that any average driver.
Pittsburgh has also landed on list at 22. According to Allstate, an average Pittsburgh driver will get into an accident every seven and a half years. Pittsburgh drivers are also shown to be 38.2% more likely to get into an accident than the average driver. While Philadelphia usually sits on the top of the list every year, Pittsburgh has steadily increased its ranking as one of the least safe cities in the country over the past few years. Pittsburgh ranked 52nd in 2010, 42nd in 2011, 28th in 2012, and 22nd in 2013. While the national average for American drivers is about one accident every ten years, the country's worst place to drive, Washington D.C., averages an accident per driver ever 4.7 years.
The country's safest place to drive: Fort Collins, Colorado, who has been recognized three out of the nine years as being America's safest town in which to drive. Among other winners in the past, Sioux Falls' has come in first five different years. According to Allstate's report, the average driver in Fort Collins will experience an accident about every 13.9 years, which is 28.2% less than the ten year national average.
Car crash fatalities are at the lowest level they have ever been since 1949, but American's still average more than 32,000 wrecks per year. Allstate spokesperson, Julia Reusch, says that "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."
Some of the obvious ways to avoid automobile accidents are to ensure you allow yourself enough time to reach your destination and try to educate yourself about upcoming construction zones and detours that may make your drive time longer than normal.
Most importantly, stay alert at all times and do not allow yourself to be distracted by the radio, an impromptu breakfast, a phone call, or text messaging. If you need to adjust your GPS device or it is imperative that you take a phone call, please pull over in a safe place or parking lot before doing so.
Whether you're in the big city or traveling on a rural road, always stay aware of your surroundings and you'll get to where you need to be safe and ready to continue your day.
Source: Allstate Newsroom, "Philly Drivers Worst Among Big Cities; Pittsburgh 22nd Worst Overall According to 2013 Allstate America's Best Drivers Report." 27 August 2013