Study: Alexandria, Va., Drivers Most Improved

NORTHBROOK, IL --- The Allstate Insurance Co. today released its fifth annual Allstate America's Best Drivers Report, which ranks America's 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which cities have the safest drivers according to Allstate data. 

This year's report highlights America's most improved motorists. This year's top honor of "America's Most Improved Driving City" is Alexandria, Va. According to the report, the average driver in Alexandria will experience an auto collision every 7.2 years, an improvement of 1.8 years since 2005. Allstate will congratulate motorists in Alexandria for their safe driving improvements with a free gas giveaway today. 

"We are thrilled to see cities making progress toward keeping America's roadways safer," said Mike Roche, senior vice president of Allstate's claim organization.

 To view the full report, which includes averages for collision likelihood as well as the years between collisions, you can go to www.allstatenewsroom.com. 

Following Alexandria, the other nine metropolitan areas making the top 10 most-improved list are: Lexington-Fayette, Ky.; Arlington, Texas; Hampton, Va.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Aurora, Colo.; Chesapeake, Va.; Reno, Nev.; Richmond, Va.; and Shreveport, La. 

The top 10 safest driving cities overall, according to Allstate data, are: Sioux Falls, S.D.; Fort Collins, Colo.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Knoxville, Tenn.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Lexington-Fayette, Ky.; Eugene, Ore.; Boise, Idaho; and Colorado Springs, Col. 

The top 10 cities with populations of more than 1 million are: Phoenix, San Diego, New York City, Houston, San Antonio, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. 

Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few years, but crash fatalities still average around an alarming 40,000 every year despite technological advances, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

"Human error is the biggest cause of accidents. It is vital for us to educate drivers across the country on the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel," said Roche.