Pasadena Collisions Rate Soars 31.2% Above National Average

Pasadena’s car collision rate is 31.2% higher than the average in 200 other major American cities and Pasadena drivers are likely to be involved in one once every 7.6 years compared to the national average of 10 years, “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report” said last week.

The Allstate Insurance Company released the 2013 report to determine which among the 200 largest cities in terms off car collision have the safest drivers.

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety website, Pasadena ranked first for the highest percentage of vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle collisions in comparison with the 53 California cities of similar populations.

Allstate research showed that Visalia ranked the safest in California in terms of auto collision and eight safest in the whole country .

“Drivers in Visalia and California’s Central Valley are making great effort toward keeping America’s roadways safer,” Phil Telgenhoff, field vice president of Allstate Insurance Company in California, told the Claims Journal. “We salute their best drivers and recognize their safe driving skills, which make all of our communities safer places to live, work and raise families.”

Meanwhile, Fort Collins, Colorado topped “America’s Safest Driving City” for the third time, with its average drivers experiencing car collision every 13.9 years.

“Congratulations to Fort Collins for continuing to demonstrate excellence in safe driving,” said Mike Roche, senior vice president of claims, Allstate. “Allstate’s Best Drivers Report was created to boost awareness about the importance of being safe and attentive behind the wheel, while providing drivers with tips and resources to improve their driving skills.”

According to a recent report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crash fatalities rose by more than 1,700 from 2011 to 2012.

“It is vital for us to educate American drivers about safe driving behaviors they can practice on the road that will help make our roadways safer,” Telgenhoff told the Claims Journal. “Minimizing distractions, obeying traffic laws, and using your car’s safety features like turn signals and headlights are all ways to be safer, no matter where you drive.”

While fatalities have increased over the past year, Allstate research found that 70 percent of vehicles involved in auto claims are considered drivable, which indicates that most claims are the result of low speed (under 35 miles per hour) collisions.

“Allstate has found the most frequent collisions happen during minor fender-benders, but it’s important to keep in mind that even lower-speed accidents can have serious outcomes,” said Roche.

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names and Allstate Financial business segment.