It is official: Cleveland motorists are better drivers than those in most of the other cities in Ohio, even with the challenges posed by winter driving conditions, road construction and potholes.
According to the seventh annual Allstate America's Best Drivers Report, Cleveland drivers ranked 59th out of 200 American cities. With an average of 10 years between car accidents, Cleveland drivers are 0.2 percent below the national average. And overall, drivers in Northeast Ohio are ranked better than those in the state's other large cities.
Allstate, the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, created the yearly report to increase discussions about safe, attentive and tolerant driving. To determine the safest cities, the report analyzed Allstate's claim data for car collision frequency and identified the areas with the safest drivers.
Since the most significant cause of car accidents is human behavior, Allstate launched the best drivers report to help improve the safety of America's roadways through discussion and education about the importance of responsible driving behaviors, such as:
- Being aware of road conditions
- Leaving a proper distance between vehicles
- Minimizing distractions
- Maintaining vehicles
- Reducing stress
Unfortunately, statistics indicate even the safest of drivers will likely be involved in an accident at some point. When that crash occurs, it is important to have a response plan in place that includes filing a police report, obtaining witness information and exchanging insurance and contact information with the other parties. If injuries occur following a car accident, the response plan should include obtaining a medical evaluation.
For those injured in a car accident, it is also wise to consult with a personal injury attorney before speaking with the insurance adjuster and/or settling an insurance claim - as the insurance company will often only have its own interests at heart. An attorney can provide a consultation to discuss the legal rights of injured victims and options to pursue compensation for pain, suffering and loss.