Report Ranks S.D. Drivers as Safest; Phoenix Drivers Safest in Big Cities

Residents of Sioux Falls, S.D., are the safest drivers in the United States, according to the second-annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report.”

The largest city in South Dakota moves up from the number two spot on last year’s report from Allstate Insurance Company – replacing Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which moved to the number three position on this year’s list.

This 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 experience 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% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (14.3 avg. years between collisions).

2. Fort Collins, Colo. is 24.0% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (13.2 avg. years between collisions).

3. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is 24.0% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (13.2 avg. years between collisions).

4. Huntsville, Ala., is 21.6% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (12.8 avg. years between collisions).

5. Chattanooga, Tenn., is 21.2% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (12.7 avg. years between collisions).

6. Knoxville, Tenn., is 20.7% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (12.6 avg. years between collisions).

7. Des Moines, Iowa is 20.6% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (12.6 avg. years between collisions).

8. Milwaukee, Wisc., is 20.0% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (12.5 avg. years between collisions).

9. Colorado Springs, Colo., is 19.0% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (12.3 avg. years between collisions).

10. Warren, Mich., is 18.9% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (12.3 avg. years between collisions).

“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
For the second consecutive year, drivers in Phoenix are the safest big city commuters according to Allstate. 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 number three on Allstate’s list of cities with populations greater than 1 million people.

75. Phoenix, Ariz., is 3.6% more likely to have a collision compared to the national average (9.7 avg. years between collisions).

113. San Diego, Calif., is 11.9% more likely to have a collision compared to the national average (8.9 avg. years between collisions).

139. New York City is 18.6% more likely to have a collision compared to the national average (8.4 avg. years between collisions).

160. San Antonio, Texas, is 24.6% more likely to have a collision compared to the national average (8.0 avg. years between collisions).

163. Houston, Texas, is 25.5% more likely to have a collision compared to the national average (8.0 avg. years between collisions).

178. Chicago, Ill. is 33.0% more likely to have a collision compared to the national average (7.5 avg. years between collisions).

183. Dallas, Texas is 37.2% more likely to have a collision compared to the national average (7.3 avg. years between collisions).

184. Los Angeles, Calif., is 42.9% more likely to have a collision compared to the national average (7.0 avg. years between collisions).

186. Philadelphia, Penn., is 51.0% more likely to have a collision compared to the national average (6.6 avg. years between collisions).

Cities with 500,000 to 1 Million Residents
Milwaukee drivers topped the list of safest drivers in mid-sized cities with populations between 500,000 to 1,000,000 residents. While this is the second year that the Wisconsin city has claimed this position, Milwaukee drivers showed definite driving improvement by moving into this year’s overall top 10 ranking as well. Drivers in nine of the top 10 cities in this list for mid-sized cities are less likely than the national average to experience a collision.

8. Milwaukee, Wisc., is 20.0% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (12.5 avg. years between collisions).

31. Memphis, Tenn., is 8.3% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (10.9 avg. years between collisions).

35. Nashville, Tenn., is 7.4% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (10.8 avg. years between collisions).

37. Louisville, Ky., is 6.9% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (10.7 avg. years between collisions).

39. Denver, Colo., is 6.5% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (10.7 avg. years between collisions).

47. El Paso, Texas is 4.2% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (10.4 avg. years between collisions).

48. Detroit, Mich., is 3.5% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (10.4 avg. years between collisions).

50. Indianapolis, Ind., is 3.0% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (10.3 avg. years between collisions).

58. Oklahoma City, Okla, is 1.3% less likely to have a collision compared to the national average (10.1 avg. years between collisions).

63. Tucson, Ariz., is 0.2% more likely to have a collision compared to the national average (10.0 avg. years between collisions).

Source: Allstate