• 03
  • September
    2010

According to a recent report published by Allstate Insurance Company, Milwaukee-area motorists have become safer drivers since last year, which puts the area in the top quarter cities in the U.S. The 2010 Allstate America's Best Driver's Report, released Thursday, ranked 200 of the largest U.S. cities using car accident frequency data.

The report detailed that Milwaukee "ranked 42nd, down from a No. 19 ranking 2009, but the average years between accidents shortened to 10.6 years from 11.2 years." According to Allstate, Milwaukee drivers are about 6 percent less likely than the average U.S. motorist to get into a car accident.

"Nationally, car accidents in general have declined over the last few years, but crash fatalities still average around an alarming 35,000 every year despite technological advances, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration."

The survey found that the nation's safest drivers are in Fort Collins, Colo., where drivers' accident likelihood is one every 14.5 years, which is nearly a third less than the national average. The nation's worst drivers, according to the survey, were from Washington, D.C., where drivers are nearly twice as prone to accidents as the average U.S. driver - every 5.1 years.  

Allstate provided some recommendations on how driver's can become safer motorists:

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 one's car. Ensure that car brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery, and hoses are in good working order.

Source: Milwaukee Business Journal "Allstate: Milwaukee drivers rank among safest in U.S." 09/02/2010