Central Texas City Fares Poorly In Safest Drivers Survey
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Central Texas City Fares Poorly In Safest Drivers Survey Save Email Print

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(July 1, 2008)—Waco ranks in the bottom third of this year’s “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report” released Tuesday.

In the survey of the country’s 193 largest cities, Waco ranked 136th in driver safety.

Sioux Falls, S.D. was rated as the city with the safest drivers in the U.S., according to the survey, which determined that the average driver in Sioux Falls is involved in an auto collision every 14.6 years and is 31.6 less likely to have an accident that the national average.

In Waco, the average driver goes 8.6 years between accidents and is 15.9 percent more likely to have an accident than the national average.

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Allstate has produced the report for the past four years.

It’s based on an in-depth analysis of company claim data, Allstate says.
Allstate says its policies represent 12 percent of all auto policies in the U.S.

“Allstate's America's Best Driver's Report was created to boost the country's discussion on safe driving,” said Mike Roche, senior vice president, Allstate's Claim Organization.

“Each year, we hope that the report will increase awareness on the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel. This is also a critical message we must communicate with teen drivers,” he said.

Waco was the only city in Central Texas included in the survey.

Top 10 Safest Cities: Average years between crashes
(Source: Allstate)

1. Sioux Falls, S.D., 14.6
2. Fort Collins, Colo., 13.4
3. Chattanooga, Tenn., 13.3
4. Sterling Heights, Mich., 13.2
5. Warren, Mich., 13.2
6. Knoxville, Tenn., 13.1
7. Grand Rapids, Mich., 12.9
8. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 12.9
9. Lexington, Ky., 12.8
10. Detroit, 12.4
(136. Waco 8.6)

Cities with 500,000 to 1 million residents

1. Detroit, 12.4
2. Milwaukee, 11.8
3. Louisville, Ky., 11.4
4. Nashville, Tenn., 11.1
5. Tucson, Ariz., 11.0
6. Memphis, Tenn., 10.9
7. Denver, 10.7
8. Oklahoma City, 10.5
9. Indianapolis, 10.4
10. El Paso, Texas, 10.2

Cities with more than 1 million residents

1. Phoenix, 9.8
2. San Diego, 9.1
3. New York, 8.8
4. Houston, 8.1
5. San Antonio, 8.0
6. Dallas, 7.8
7. Chicago, 7.6
8. Los Angeles, 7.1
9. Philadelphia, 6.6


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Posted by: transplant Location: waco on Jul 3, 2008 at 11:19 AM
I've driven in a lot of places. Sorry Waco, you're pretty bad. For starters it would be helpful for you all to learn that red lights mean stop and green lights do not mean apply your brakes. And how about taking lessons on parking in parking spaces. If you're going to buy the biggest vehicle in the world at least learn how to park it or get something small enough for your skill level. geez!

Posted by: AKA Location: Texas on Jul 2, 2008 at 03:14 PM
What about AUSTIN? There are some REALLY RUDE people there, they would rather run you over than to let you merge into the flow!

Posted by: Corey Location: Temple on Jul 2, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I agree with Tina from belton. I got my car rear-ended and totaled in Belton in Nov.'07. It was some kid that was texting on his phone and smashed me going 45 MPH...and i wasent moving. I also agree that Waco drivers are bad also...you cant go to waco once without getting cutoff, run off the road, flipped off...ect

Posted by: tina Location: belton on Jul 2, 2008 at 11:15 AM
yea, i'm really surprised that they didn't put belton. you have to be on the lookout for people who like to rear-end you at red lights, totaling your car, lying to the cops about having insurance, and giving sob stories about how she is raising her 3rd generation grandchildren. yea, you know who you are. sorry to all, i just really had to get that out and i hope that she is reading this.

Posted by: Randy Location: Waco on Jul 2, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Bogus. First, how many insurance policies are they looking at? That's important. In order to effectively evaluate these "statistics" (this is just claims data by Allstate's own admission - the sample will be very narrow), we need a larger sample. Let's look at ALL claims data for the INSURED drivers of all companies writing business in Waco before we jump to any conclusions. Anyone who has ever driven in San Antonio knows where the worst Texas drivers live.

Posted by: Mac Location: TX on Jul 2, 2008 at 11:03 AM
To Anna: If prices where raised to $10 or $15 a gallon, most people want have to change their driving habits. No more road rage, less auto accidents, etc. Maybe, help humble all of us alittle. A little old lady who's head just above the dash, (assume in her late 80's) flip me off and became aggresive, but this same little old lady would be somewhat scared if she stood in line or walked on the sidewalk next to me, due to my size and rough appearance. Have auto's became the courage in the can and have given people a false sense of attitude power? What a rude awakening for those who live care free. State should take their "drive friendly" signs down and replace with "drive lock and loaded".

Posted by: Angela Location: Waco on Jul 2, 2008 at 07:44 AM
One of the reasons I hate taking my kids to school every morning. The parents here fly through the school zone with kids out of seatbelts so they can hurry and get to the next location. Not to mention the drivers on I35 and Waco Drive. Yet, the cops do nothing even when you report it. Sure, they put up bigger flashing lights but... hello.... they aren't working!

Posted by: Anna Location: Centex on Jul 2, 2008 at 06:04 AM
Mac, If raising the price of gas to nearly $4 a gallon hasn't change anyone's driving habits (and believe me it hasn't) then nothing will. I am amazed at the number of people driving full size trucks and SUV's and still going 10-20 mph over the speed limit. They pull into the pump and complain about the price of gas.

Posted by: Clyde L. Harris Location: Hillsboro, TX on Jul 2, 2008 at 06:00 AM
I must have been pushing my luck on the road in Waco, I retired from the Baylor Bookstore after nine years. Now all I have to contend with is idiots who have no conception of what a stop sign is in Hillsboro.

Posted by: Clyde L. Harris Location: Hillsboro, TX on Jul 2, 2008 at 05:06 AM
Hillsboro, TX should get the worst "Obeying traffic signs" award. I would not be surprised to see laundry drying on one of them.

Posted by: Dale Location: rdctex@hotmail.com on Jul 2, 2008 at 01:53 AM
For some reason, Allstate did not include Killeen on this list. I think Allstate is just looking for an excuse to increase insurance rates in Waco again.

Posted by: Aly Location: Waco on Jul 1, 2008 at 08:41 PM
One does not have to travel far in this county to see why Waco ranks so low. I see 'near misses' evry time I drive in the Waco Area. Posted speed limit 60 or 65? Don't try to drive that...you will be cursed, run over, maybe shot... or try going 40 down Waco Drive. Ha!

Posted by: connie Location: temple on Jul 1, 2008 at 06:58 PM
hey, william, killeen ranks dead last. they have the world's rudest drivers. i have lived here in this area more than 30 years and would rather have my toenails pulled out without anesthesia than drive in killeen. don't people know what "merge" is anymore?

Posted by: William Location: Salado on Jul 1, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Where does Killeen show up on that list?

Posted by: Mac Location: TX on Jul 1, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Not for long. Keep raising the gasoline prices and this survey will change!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 1, 2008 at 04:38 PM
all we need to do is hang up.[the moble phone]and lose the me first attitude .

Posted by: HARRIS Location: Waco on Jul 1, 2008 at 02:59 PM
well at least we made the list!

Posted by: BUBBA Location: WACO on Jul 1, 2008 at 01:26 PM
IS ANY ONE SUPRISED!!!!

Posted by: lbp Location: Waco on Jul 1, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Is anyone surprised?

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