The Allstate Insurance Company has released its 9th annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report” and it looks like Indiana made the cut. In this report, the nation’s largest 200 cities are ranked base on their car accident frequency and are ranked in order of the safest drivers.
Unfortunately, Indiana didn’t come in as the safest. Once again, Fort Collins, Colorado ranked as the safest city in the nation for car accidents and responsible drivers. Every year since the report launched, Fort Collins has made it into the top 10.
Our car accident lawyers understand that there were more than 188,000 traffic accidents in the state of Indiana that reported injury or property damage in 2011. According to the State of Indiana, 700 fatal accidents resulted in nearly 750 fatalities throughout the year. While this is a near 4 percent decrease from the previous year, it’s still far too many lives being lost on the roads.
Indianapolis ranked in as the 75th safest city to drive in the U.S. Unfortunately, it dropped 15 spots from its 60th ranking in 2011. In the area, drivers are 3 percent more likely to get into an accident than the national average. Drivers can typically expect about 9.7 years between accidents.
Traffic crashes in Indiana involve one or more vehicle drivers, the majority of whom are Indiana residents (89 percent of all drivers involved in collisions from 2009 to 2012).
Common Causes of Indiana Car Accidents:
-Speed. This factor accounted for more than 17,500 accidents in 2011.
-More than 4,300 accidents happened in a work zone.
-Impaired driving caused close to 150 accidents and 140 fatalities. About 20 percent of all fatal accidents involved a driver who was under the influence of alcohol.
-The average economic cost of collisions involving an alcohol-impaired driver was more than $58,000.
-The economic costs of motor vehicle collisions in Indiana approached $4.4 billion in 2011.
-Younger drivers (those 16- and 17-years-old) had the highest rate of drivers involved in all collisions in 2011.
You can click here to see a breakdown of where all of the Indianapolis fatal accidents took place.
The truth of the matter is that we have complete control in helping to improve these numbers. A majority of car accidents in the state of Indiana are completely preventable as many are caused by driver behavior. It’s important that we keep road safety as a number one priority. This means keeping our hands on the wheel and our attention on the road. In the driver’s seat is no time to dangerous behaviors, distractions or intoxication. Be on your best behavior behind the wheel, and make sure you’re keeping an eye on the young drivers in your household. The precautions can help to keep you alive.
Attorney Burton A. Padove represents auto accident victims. If you or a loved one has been injured, call (219) 836-2200 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
Indiana Traffic Safety: Summer Road Trip Accident Risks, Indiana Injury and Family Lawyer Blog, August 25, 2013
Officials Grade States on Distracted Driving Enforcement, Indiana Injury and Family Lawyer Blog, August 18, 2013