New York City is among the top 200 most dangerous places in the nation when it comes to the risk of being involved in a traffic accident. On city streets, drivers and pedestrians are 32.3 percent more likely to be involved in a New York City car accident than hometown drivers elsewhere in the country, Allstate Insurance reports.
In the 2010 report ranking “Best Drivers”, New York City placed 159th, representing a 14-point drop in rankings from the previous year. According to the study, the average New York City driver is involved in a car accident every 7.8 years. New York City scored worse than major U.S. cities like Atlanta, San Diego and St. Louis but better than Miami, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. was the worst city in the nation for drivers, with the average driver reporting an accident every 5.1 years. The best city was Fort Collins, Colo., where drivers went an average of about 14.5 years without reporting an accident.
“For the sixth year, Allstate is releasing the Allstate America’s Best Driver’s Report to facilitate an ongoing dialogue on safe driving,” said Mike Roche, senior vice president, Allstate’s Claim Organization. “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.”
Safe driving tips offered with the study include:
~ Focus on your driving and minimize distractions (cell phone, eating while driving, etc.).
~ Be aware of potential hazards and road conditions.
~ Don’t tailgate! Maintain a safe following distance.
~ Be a happy driver. Avoid potential road rage by giving yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Don’t drive aggressively. Instead, drive defensively.
~ Make sure your car is in good working condition.
The New York City car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose are available for a free and confidential consultation if you have been injured in car accident throughout the area, including Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Rockland counties. To schedule an appointment, call us at 1-877-313-ROSE (7673).
