Report ranks Phoenix drivers safest of big cities

Drivers in Phoenix are the safest big city commuters, according the second-annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report.” Drivers in Phoenix can expect to bump into another vehicle on the roadway every 9.7 years — slightly more frequent than the national average. And, New York City moves to No. 3 on Allstate’s list of cities with populations greater than 1 million people.

Overall, South Dakota residents rank as the nation’s safest drivers. The largest city in South Dakota moves up from the number two spot on last year’s report from Allstate Insurance Co. — replacing Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which moved to the No. 3 position on this year’s list.

The ranking of the best drivers in the 200 largest cities in America revealed that the average driver in Sioux Falls will experience an auto collision every 14.3 years, compared to the national likelihood of a crash every 10 years — making them 30 percent less likely to have an accident than the national average.

Allstate researchers analyzed company claim data to determine the likelihood drivers in America’s 200 largest cities would have a vehicle collision compared to the national average.

“The Allstate America’s Best Driver’s Report elevates the country’s discussion on safe driving. Our hope is that each year the Allstate report helps facilitate an ongoing dialogue that saves lives,” said George Ruebenson, Allstate senior vice president for claims service.

The top 10
While Sioux Falls drivers jumped to the number one spot in this year’s report, Iowa, Tennessee and Colorado are also home to some of the country’s safest drivers, the report said. Two cities from each state drive into the top 10 on Allstate’s list — similar to the inaugural report findings in 2005. Midwestern drivers also appear to heed the safety call. Five out of the 10 top cities are in America’s heartland, according to the report.

1. Sioux Falls, S.D., is 30.2 percent less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (14.3 average years between collisions).
2. Ft. Collins, Colo., is 24 percent less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (13.2 average years between collisions).
3. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is 24 percent less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (13.2 average years between collisions).
4. Huntsville, Ala., is 21.6 percent less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (12.8 average years between collisions).
5. Chattanooga, Tenn., is 21.2 percent less likely to have a collision compared to the national average.
6. Knoxville, Tenn., is 20.7 percent less likely to have a collision.
7. Des Moines, Iowa is 20.6 percent less likely to have a collision.
8. Milwaukee is 20 percent less likely to have a collision.
9. Colorado Springs, Colo., is 19 percent less likely to have a collision.
10. Warren, Mich., is 18.9 percent less likely to have a collision.

“What makes this report from Allstate valuable is that it is based on real world collision data from actual drivers,” said Allan Williams, the recently retired chief scientist and researcher at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Also, Allstate’s auto policies represent about 12 percent of the U.S. population, making this report a realistic snapshot of what’s happening on America’s roadways.”

Cities with more than 1 million residents
75. Phoenix, Ariz., is 3.6 percent more likely to have a collision compared to the national average.

113. San Diego is 11.9 percent more likely to have a collision.

139. New York City is 18.6 percent more likely to have a collision.

160. San Antonio is 24.6 percent more likely to have a collision.

163. Houston is 25.5 percent more likely to have a collision.

178. Chicago is 33 percent more likely.

183. Dallas is 37.2 percent more likely.

184. Los Angeles is 42.9 percent more likely.

186. Philadelphia is 51 percent more likely to have a collision.