Are you living among America’s most dangerous drivers? Discover which states are the safest (and riskiest)!
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Buckle up, GrayVine readers—today we’re taking a coast-to-coast road trip through America’s safest and riskiest cities for drivers.
Whether you’re a seasoned road warrior or just enjoy a leisurely Sunday drive, you might be surprised to learn how your hometown stacks up when it comes to fender benders and safe driving habits.
So, is your city a haven for careful cruisers, or are you navigating a minefield of distracted drivers? Let’s find out!
The Allstate Report: A Crash Course in Driving Safety
Every year, Allstate crunches the numbers on millions of collision claims to reveal which cities are the best—and worst—when it comes to keeping it between the lines.
Their latest report, now in its 17th year, is more than just a list; it’s a snapshot of how American driving habits are changing, and a wake-up call for anyone who thinks “it could never happen to me.”
This year’s study looked at property and collision damage claims from 2022 and 2023, and even compared them to data from a decade ago.
The goal? To see which cities are improving, which are slipping, and what we can all do to make our roads safer.
The Safest Cities: Where Defensive Driving Reigns Supreme
If you’re looking for a place where your car insurance agent can sleep easy, Texas is the Lone Star of the show.
Four Texas cities made the top 20, with Brownsville taking the gold medal as the safest city for drivers in the entire country. Here’s the full top 10:
1. Brownsville, Texas
2. Boise, Idaho
3. Fort Collins, Colorado
4. Cary, North Carolina
5. Laredo, Texas
6. Olathe, Kansas
7. Scottsdale, Arizona
8. Port St. Lucie, Florida
9. Madison, Wisconsin
10. Eugene, Oregon
Also read: Have you heard about this new law? You could be fined up to $250 if you break it!
Texas’s dominance doesn’t stop there—McAllen and Corpus Christi also made strong showings at #11 and #20, respectively. If you’re a Texan, give yourself a pat on the back (and maybe a gentle tap on the horn for good measure).
The Riskiest Cities: Where Bumpers Live in Fear
On the flip side, some cities are notorious for their high collision rates. If you’re driving in Boston, you might want to invest in a sturdy bumper and a little extra patience. Here are the 10 riskiest cities for drivers:
200. Boston, Massachusetts
199. Washington, D.C.
198. Baltimore, Maryland
197. Worcester, Massachusetts
196. Springfield, Massachusetts
195. Glendale, California
194. Los Angeles, California
193. Oakland, California
192. Providence, Rhode Island
191. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Notice a trend? The Northeast is a hotbed for fender benders, with seven of the top 10 riskiest cities located in this region. But don’t count the West Coast out—California’s big cities are also making a strong (if unfortunate) showing.
Regional Trends: Who’s Getting Better, and Who’s Slipping?
Let’s zoom out and look at the bigger picture. The Allstate report reveals some fascinating regional shifts:
- Texas Triumphs: Not only does Texas have four of the safest cities, but 21 Texas cities have improved their rankings over the past decade. Even major metros like Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, and Dallas are on the upswing.
- Pacific Northwest Progress: Washington, Oregon, and Alaska are all safer than they were 10 years ago. Bellevue, Washington, deserves a special shout-out for climbing an incredible 133 spots since 2015!
- Midwest Missteps: Unfortunately, some Midwestern cities are heading in the wrong direction. St. Louis dropped a whopping 90 spots, Des Moines fell 89, and Kansas City slid 84. Other cities like Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Omaha, and Indianapolis also saw declines in their safety rankings.
Why Do Some Cities Fare Better Than Others?
You might be wondering: what makes one city safer than another? It’s a mix of factors—urban density, weather, road design, and, of course, driver behavior.
Cities with sprawling suburbs and less congestion tend to see fewer accidents, while older, denser cities with lots of traffic and tricky intersections (looking at you, Boston) are more prone to collisions.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Improvements in car safety technology, better road infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns are helping many cities turn the tide.
Read next: Are you unknowingly breaking this law at red lights? 31 states say you might be
Have you noticed changes in driving habits in your city? Do you have tips for staying safe behind the wheel? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
Whether you’re a seasoned road warrior or just enjoy a leisurely Sunday drive, you might be surprised to learn how your hometown stacks up when it comes to fender benders and safe driving habits.
So, is your city a haven for careful cruisers, or are you navigating a minefield of distracted drivers? Let’s find out!
The Allstate Report: A Crash Course in Driving Safety
Every year, Allstate crunches the numbers on millions of collision claims to reveal which cities are the best—and worst—when it comes to keeping it between the lines.
Their latest report, now in its 17th year, is more than just a list; it’s a snapshot of how American driving habits are changing, and a wake-up call for anyone who thinks “it could never happen to me.”
This year’s study looked at property and collision damage claims from 2022 and 2023, and even compared them to data from a decade ago.
The goal? To see which cities are improving, which are slipping, and what we can all do to make our roads safer.
Texas is the safest state for drivers, with four cities placing in the nation’s top 20, while Boston was found to be the riskiest city according to Allstate’s latest annual report. Image source: why kei / Unsplash.
The Safest Cities: Where Defensive Driving Reigns Supreme
If you’re looking for a place where your car insurance agent can sleep easy, Texas is the Lone Star of the show.
Four Texas cities made the top 20, with Brownsville taking the gold medal as the safest city for drivers in the entire country. Here’s the full top 10:
1. Brownsville, Texas
2. Boise, Idaho
3. Fort Collins, Colorado
4. Cary, North Carolina
5. Laredo, Texas
6. Olathe, Kansas
7. Scottsdale, Arizona
8. Port St. Lucie, Florida
9. Madison, Wisconsin
10. Eugene, Oregon
Also read: Have you heard about this new law? You could be fined up to $250 if you break it!
Texas’s dominance doesn’t stop there—McAllen and Corpus Christi also made strong showings at #11 and #20, respectively. If you’re a Texan, give yourself a pat on the back (and maybe a gentle tap on the horn for good measure).
The Riskiest Cities: Where Bumpers Live in Fear
On the flip side, some cities are notorious for their high collision rates. If you’re driving in Boston, you might want to invest in a sturdy bumper and a little extra patience. Here are the 10 riskiest cities for drivers:
200. Boston, Massachusetts
199. Washington, D.C.
198. Baltimore, Maryland
197. Worcester, Massachusetts
196. Springfield, Massachusetts
195. Glendale, California
194. Los Angeles, California
193. Oakland, California
192. Providence, Rhode Island
191. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Notice a trend? The Northeast is a hotbed for fender benders, with seven of the top 10 riskiest cities located in this region. But don’t count the West Coast out—California’s big cities are also making a strong (if unfortunate) showing.
Seven of the ten riskiest cities for collisions are located in the Northeast, while West Coast cities like Los Angeles and Oakland also feature among the most dangerous. Image source: Dan Gold / Unsplash.
Regional Trends: Who’s Getting Better, and Who’s Slipping?
Let’s zoom out and look at the bigger picture. The Allstate report reveals some fascinating regional shifts:
- Texas Triumphs: Not only does Texas have four of the safest cities, but 21 Texas cities have improved their rankings over the past decade. Even major metros like Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, and Dallas are on the upswing.
- Pacific Northwest Progress: Washington, Oregon, and Alaska are all safer than they were 10 years ago. Bellevue, Washington, deserves a special shout-out for climbing an incredible 133 spots since 2015!
- Midwest Missteps: Unfortunately, some Midwestern cities are heading in the wrong direction. St. Louis dropped a whopping 90 spots, Des Moines fell 89, and Kansas City slid 84. Other cities like Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Omaha, and Indianapolis also saw declines in their safety rankings.
Why Do Some Cities Fare Better Than Others?
You might be wondering: what makes one city safer than another? It’s a mix of factors—urban density, weather, road design, and, of course, driver behavior.
Cities with sprawling suburbs and less congestion tend to see fewer accidents, while older, denser cities with lots of traffic and tricky intersections (looking at you, Boston) are more prone to collisions.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Improvements in car safety technology, better road infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns are helping many cities turn the tide.
Read next: Are you unknowingly breaking this law at red lights? 31 states say you might be
Have you noticed changes in driving habits in your city? Do you have tips for staying safe behind the wheel? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
