NORTHBROOK, IL – In the newly released eighth annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report,” the city of Sioux Falls, S.D., tops the list of safest driving cities for the fifth time in the history of the report. Boise, Idaho, captures a close second place.

Conversely, the cities identified as having the greatest likelihood of a collision are Washington D.C.; Baltimore, Md.; Providence, R.I.; Hialeah, Fla.; and Glendale, Calif.

The report, based on Allstate Insurance Co. claims data, ranks America’s largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which cities have the safest drivers.

According to the report, the average driver in Sioux Falls will experience an auto collision every 13.8 years, which is 27.6 percent less likely than the national average of 10 years. In contrast, the average driver in Washington, D.C., will be in a collision every 4.7 years. 

“Allstate’s Best Drivers Report was created to boost the country’s discussion on safe driving. Each year we hope the report will increase awareness about the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel,” said Mike Roche, senior vice president of claims for Allstate. 

Car crash fatalities are at the lowest level they’ve been since 1949, but still average more than 32,000 every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For the past eight years, Allstate actuaries have conducted an in-depth analysis of company claims data to determine the likelihood drivers in America’s 200 largest cities will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average. Internal property damage reported claims were analyzed over a two-year period (from January 2009 to December 2010) to ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road construction.

A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property damage claim. Allstate’s auto policies represent about 10 percent of all U.S. auto policies, making this report a realistic snapshot of what’s happening on America’s roadways.

The top ten cities are:

City & Overall Ranking of Collision Likelihood Compared to
 National Average

1.  Sioux Falls, S.D. -- 27.6% less likely (13.8 average yrs. between collisions)

2.  Boise, Idaho -- 27.3% less likely (13.8 average yrs. between collisions)

3.  Fort Collins, Colo. -- 26.7% less likely (13.6 average yrs. between collisions)

4.   Madison, Wis. -- 23.0% less likely (13.0 average yrs. between collisions)

5.  Lincoln, Neb. -- 19.3% less likely (12.4 average yrs. between collisions)

6.  Huntsville, Ala. -- 19.1% less likely (12.4 average yrs. between collisions)

7.  Chandler, Ariz. -- 18.9% less likely (12.3 average yrs. between collisions)

8.  Reno, Nev. -- 18.4% less likely (12.3 average yrs. between collisions)

9.  Knoxville, Tenn. -- 18.1% less likely (12.2 average yrs. between collisions)

10. Springfield, Mo. -- 17.4% less likely (12.1 average yrs. between collisions)

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For the eighth year in a row, motorists in Phoenix topped the list among commuters in American cities with more than 1 million people. Rankings among these cities:

City & Overall Ranking of Collision Likelihood Compared to National Average 

53.   Phoenix, Ariz. -- 1.6% less likely (10.2 average yrs. between collisions)

124. San Diego, Calif. -- 14.0% more likely (8.8 average yrs. between collisions)

141 San Antonio, Texas -- 20.4% more likely (8.3 average yrs. between collisions)

152. Chicago, Ill. -- 25.9% more likely (7.9 average yrs. between collisions)

153. Houston, Texas -- 25.9% more likely (7.9 average yrs. between collisions)

167. Dallas, Texas -- 32.8% more likely (7.5 average yrs. between collisions)

176. New York, N.Y. -- 41.1% more likely (7.1 average yrs. between collisions)

182. Los Angeles, Calif. -- 48.5% more likely (6.7 average yrs. between collisions)

190. Philadelphia, Pa. -- 64.1% more likely (6.1 average yrs. between collisions)

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To access the full report, click here and then download the pdf file from the upper right corner box marked "Related Files."