The Worst and Best Cities for Driving
Bad drivers are everywhere, but look out if you drive the streets and highways of Boston, MA. Compared to the national average of one accident every 10 years, Boston drivers have a collision once every 3.6 years, which is 179.5 percent higher than the national average, according to the 12th annual Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report. Boston ranked at the bottom of a list of the 200 largest U.S. cities, according to Allstate insurance claims, earning it the dubious title of the home of the nation’s worst drivers. Compare that to Kansas City, Kansas, which has been named America’s safest driving city with an average time of 14.9 years between collisions — 32.8 percent less frequently than the national average.
The top 10 most dangerous driving cities:
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Worcester, Massachusetts
- Washington, D.C.
- Springfield, Massachusetts
- Glendale, California
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Los Angeles, California
- New Haven, Connecticut
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The top 10 safest driving cities:
- Kansas City, Kansas
- Brownsville, Texas
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Huntsville, Alabama
- Cape Coral, Florida
- Boise, Idaho
- Laredo, Texas
- Port Saint Lucie, Florida
- McAllen, Texas
- Olathe, Kansas
Allstate offers the following safe driving 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.