A major auto insurance company recently released a report ranking which cities are the “most dangerous” for U.S. drivers. The study was compiled through an analysis of data from auto insurance claims.
Bridgeport placed 19th on the list, and New Haven placed 21st. According to the report, Bridgeport drivers were involved in an accident every 7.1 years on average. New Haven drivers weren’t much better, at an accident every 7.3 years. Compare these numbers with the national average of once every 10 years.
The auto insurer studied Census data during a two-year time period beginning on Jan. 1, 2009 and ending on Dec. 31, 2010. The study paid attention to populations within city limits as opposed to metropolitan statistical areas.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, received the honor of being “America’s Safest Driving City” according to the study. A driver in Sioux Falls gets into an accident every 13.8 years on average.
Even one accident in ten years seems startling to some drivers, especially those with good driving records. While we cannot control what other drivers do on the road, we can drive safely and attentively to reduce the number of accidents we are involved in during our lifetime.
Some tips provided by the auto insurer can go a long way for safety:
- Always be aware of what’s going on near your destination before you leave home.
- Get traffic reports and plan alternate routes accordingly.
- Be alert and aware of the drivers and other obstacles around you; a pedestrian could step out seemingly at random, emergency vehicles are always flying down streets, and other forms of transportation can pull out in front of you.
- Keep a safe distance between you and other vehicles at all times.
- Leave home with plenty of time to reach your destination. Not only will you arrive in one piece, you will also arrive with time to spare.
And, perhaps most importantly: Put down your cell phone, makeup, hamburger, or whatever else may take your eyes and focus off of the road. This is true anywhere, but especially true in Bridgeport and New Haven, where accidents don’t just happen, but happen far too often.
Learn about what to do after a car accident by visiting our pages on motor vehicle accidents.
Source: Allstate, Bridgeport and New Haven Roads Among Top 25 Most Dangerous in Country on 2012 “Allstate America’s Best Driver’s Report,” Aug. 28, 2012.