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Study: Drivers In Connecticut More Likely To Crash

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Drivers in Bridgeport and New Haven landed near the bottom of a list, 185 and 190 respectively, among America's 200 largest cities where drivers are likely to have accidents, according to Allstate.

An Allstate study shows drivers in Connecticut have more accidents.

An Allstate study shows drivers in Connecticut have more accidents.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

The data is based on 38,000 roadway deaths last year, the most since 2008, said Allstate’s 12th annual America’s Best Drivers Report. The grim statistics were provided by the National Safety Council.

Are Connecticut drivers doing their part to keep the roads safe? 

Among grim rankings Bridgeport drivers rated 15th to last in the "City and Overall Ranking" category, with a 42.3 percent "Collision Likelihood Compared to National Average" with seven "Average Years Between Collisions," said the report.

New Haven fared slightly better, coming in 10th to last in the "City and Overall Ranking" category, with a 51.3 percent "Collision Likelihood Compared to National Average" and 6.6 "Average Years Between Collisions," said the report.

The report "underscores Allstate’s commitment to safety, especially as motorists prepare to hit the roads for the July Fourth holiday," according to the company.

The holiday is the "deadliest day of the year on average for drivers," said Allstate, citing the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

“As Connecticut drivers look forward to celebrating the holiday weekend, the results of our report are an important reminder to put safety first on the road,” said Tracey King, Allstate spokesperson. 

“We encourage drivers in Bridgeport and New Haven to refocus on safe-driving practices, to help reduce roadway collisions that may result in unfortunate consequences, such as tragic fatalities and potentially higher insurance costs.” 

Want to know where the country's best drivers are, according to the report? In Brownsville, the average driver experiences an auto collision every 14.6 years, which is 31.4 percent less likely than the national average, according to Allstate.

National safety experts say drivers are now spending more time on the road and suffering more fatal collisions than recent years. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation says that from March 2015 to February 2016 Americans drove 3.15 trillion miles, an increase of more than 3 percent over the previous 12 months and the largest year-to-year increase in over two decades

Preventable human factors, like drunk, distracted or drowsy driving; speeding; and failure to use safety features contribute to 94 percent of car crashes.

Drunken driving is a "significant factor in" Fourth of July crash deaths, according to IHS, said Allstate.

Allstate’s report is based on company claims data, to determine the likelihood drivers in America’s 200 largest cities will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average. 

It was compiled by Allstate actuaries who analyzed property damage claims reported during the two-year period of January 2013 to December 2014, according to the company.

A weighted average of the two-year numbers determines the annual percentages. 

The report defines a collision as any auto crash resulting in a property damage claim. 

Allstate’s auto policies represent nearly 10 percent of all U.S. auto policies, according to the company.

Click here to read the full Allstate 12th annual America's Best Drivers Report.

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