Massachusetts drivers rank rock bottom of best drivers report

Massachusetts drivers rank rock bottom of best drivers report

Drivers in Massachusetts ranked among the worst in Allstate Insurance’s 11^th Annual Best Drivers Report while motorists in Connecticut and New Jersey didn’t fare so well either, the study shows.

The America’s Best Drivers Report ranked the top 200 cities in America for best and worst drivers. Boston was ranked worst in the nation with drivers who face a 157.7 percent likelihood of an accident compared to the national average. Nearby Springfield was ranked at 196^th with a 93.1 percent followed by Worcester at second from bottom at 199, or 120.7 percent likelihood above the national average.

So which city has the best motorists? The data reveals Kansas City, KS, can boast the best drivers with an average of 13.3 years between accidents and a -24.8 percent relative likelihood of getting into an accident compared to the national average.

Other highlights include:

• Connecticut: Bridgeport drivers scored slightly better than their New Haven counterparts with rankings of 187^th to 189^th
• New Jersey: Among the NJ cities in the list: Jersey City ranked at 136^th, Newark at 168^th followed by Patterson at 180^th.
• New York: Syracuse ranked 133^rd with a 23.3 percent likelihood followed by New York City at 151, Rochester at 152 and Yonkers at 155^th.
• Pennsylvania: Pittsburg Drivers ranked 185^th with a 46.2 percent likelihood of an accident followed by Philly drivers who were farther down the list at 192.

The report examined property damage collision frequency of their customers from 2012-2013. It analyzed the 200 largest cities according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Estimates of the Population.

The data reveals a direct correlation between poor weather and accident rates. Accident rates were higher in cities that grappled with heavy precipitation, including snow. Boston, for instance, had its worst winter on record last year getting a total of 108.6 inches, breaking the previous record from the winter of 1995-1996 (although that data was not factored into this year’s results).

How to avoid accidents

Inclement weather was the most formidable challenge for drivers. For motorists operating in heavy rains, icy conditions, or snowy roadways, the first rule is to slow down and drive more slowly, Allstate said in their report video. These bad road conditions make braking more difficult so increasing distance is needed between you and the car in front of you.

The car site, Edmunds.com, polled its editors on their tips for avoiding accidents. They recommend:

• Avoid the “fast lane.” The center and right lanes offer more opportunities to avoid a crash. Data shows that most highway accidents occur in the left lane.
• Scan farther ahead. Watch traffic conditions at a distance and not just the car ahead of you.
• Remember those blind spots. Use your mirrors effectively and adjust them to see the cars behind and beside you. Even after you do this, your car will most likely have blind spots so carefully check when passing or pulling out of driveways or roadways.
• Remember 9 and 3 o’clock positions. Edmunds recommends people place their hands on the steering wheel in the 9 and 3 positions (like a clock). This provides maximum flexibility when maneuvering to avoid a crash.
• Judge a driver by car’s condition. If a nearby car is dirty, has bangs and dents, or the driver may be drifting lanes, keep your distance. It may be a sign of an inattentive driver or poorly maintained vehicle.
• Know your car’s limits. Any vehicle can be limited by its aerodynamic construction and center of gravity so remember these factors. Street maps Also take note of your car’s condition: Are the tires old and balding? Is the car overdue for an oil change? Are the brakes spongy? If you haven’t been to the mechanic lately, do so and drive carefully in the meantime.
• It’s more dangerous at night to drive. The dark poses more dangers on the roadway due to fatigued drivers, decreased visibility, and an increase in people operating under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
• Take a driving course. Edmunds recommends going to a high performance driving school to learn avoidance maneuvers and skid recovery, among other helpful driving techniques. Many insurance companies offer driver safety courses that can also decrease your premiums.

Article syndicated by InsuraMatch.com

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