Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report

This report ranks the best drivers in the 200 largest cities across the United States. The best drivers were those who were less likely than the national average to have an accident. To determine where cities ranked on the list, Allstate researchers analyzed company data to determine the likelihood drivers in those cities would experience a vehicle collision.

“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,” George Ruebenson, Allstate’s senior vice president for claims service, said in a prepared statement.

According to the 2006 Best Drivers Report, the cities with the best drivers are:

1. Sioux Falls, S.D., drivers are 30.2 percent less likely to have an accident, going an average of 14.3 years between collisions
   
2. Fort Collins, Colo., drivers are 24.0 percent less likely to have an accident, going 13.2 years between collisions
   
3. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, drivers are also 24.0 percent less likely to have an accident, going 13.2 years between collisions
   
4. Huntsville, Ala., drivers are 21.6 percent less likely to have an accident, going 12.8 years between collisions
   
5. Chattanooga, Tenn., drivers are 21.2 percent less likely to have an accident, going 12.7 years between collisions
   
6. Knoxville, Tenn., drivers are 20.7 percent less likely to have an accident, going 12.6 years between collisions
   
7. Des Moines, Iowa, drivers are 20.6 percent less likely to have an accident, also going 12.6 years between collisions
   
8. Milwaukee, Wisc., drivers are 20.0 percent less likely to have an accident, going 12.5 years between collisions
   
9. Colorado Springs, Colo., drivers are 19.0 percent less likely to have an accident, going 12.3 years between collisions
   
10. Warren, Mich., drivers are 18.9 percent less likely to have accident, also going 12.3 years between collisions.

For the second consecutive year, Phoenix had the safest drivers among cities with more than 1 million residents. Drivers in Phoenix can expect to go 9.7 years between collisions, slightly more frequently than the national average. Phoenix is also listed as the second least courteous city by the In the Driver’s Seat Road Rage survey.

In the Driver’s Seat Road Rage Survey

“Road rage has unfortunately too often become a way of life, both on and off the track,” NASCAR driving legend and AutoVantage spokesman Bobby Hamilton said in a prepared statement. “More and more, in cities across America, people are acting out their frustrations with dangerous results. It’s bad for professional drivers and everyday drivers alike.”

The least courteous cities or those having the worst road rage, according to the AutoVantage survey, are:

• Miami, Fla.
  
• Phoenix, Ariz.
  
• New York, N.Y.
  
• Los Angeles, Calif.
  
• Boston, Mass.

The cities with the least road rage and therefore the most courteous cities are:

• Minneapolis, Minn.
  
• Nashville, Tenn.
  
• St. Louis, Mo.
  
• Seattle, Wash.
  
• Atlanta, Ga.

Other key findings from the AutoVantage survey include:

• 1 percent of respondents admitted they actually slammed into the car in front of them, although not always intentionally;
  
• 24 percent reported seeing drivers running red lights every day;
  
• drivers in Miami are most likely to see tailgating behavior, with 64 percent of drivers surveyed seeing it daily. Even in St. Louis, where drivers are least likely to see tailgating, 41 percent of drivers report seeing it daily

“This new study focuses on important attitudes and habits of drivers on the open road nationwide,” Brad Eggleston, vice president of AutoVantage, said in a prepared statement. “This groundbreaking research is an important tool to help educate and influence safer driving habits throughout the United States.”

According to Traffic Facts, a publication of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more crashes occur on Saturdays than any other day of the week. Sundays ranks second and Fridays came in third. In addition, most collisions happen between 3 and 6 p.m.. The period between 6 and 9 p.m. ranked second, while the period from 9 p.m. to midnight finishes third. The fewest crashes occur between midnight and 3 a.m..