Detroit and Grand Rapids Among Riskiest Cities for Drivers, New Study Finds

Two Michigan Cities Ranked Among the ‘Riskiest’ for Drivers in the U.S

A new study reveals troubling driving habits in Detroit and Grand Rapids

Two cities in Michigan — Detroit and Grand Rapids — feature prominently in a recent ranking of the ‘riskiest’ U.S. cities for drivers, according to data compiled by Allstate. The insurance company’s annual report, now in its 16th year, compares driving statistics across various U.S. cities to determine where the safest — and riskiest — drivers reside.

Highlights of the Report

According to Allstate’s 2024 America’s Best Drivers Report, Honolulu, Hawaii, leads the pack as the safest city in America for drivers. Detroit and Grand Rapids, however, are positioned toward the bottom of the ranking, coming in at No. 85 and 92, respectively.

Detroit’s rank was predominantly influenced by braking and speeding habits, while speeding was the primary factor for Grand Rapids. While at the other end of the scale, cities like Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland (Oregon), and Virginia Beach occupy the top five spots. The safest drivers, according to the report, reside in Madison, Cleveland, Des Moines, Minneapolis, and St. Louis — places where drivers are least likely to decelerate by more than 7 mph in one second.

Mobile Device Usage While Driving

Mobile device usage while driving, a primary cause of accidents, was also assessed in the report. San Jose, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle, San Bernadino, and Portland (Oregon) appeared in the top 10 cities where drivers were least likely to use their phones while driving.

The data collected by Allstate and presented in the report is part of a wider initiative to improve driving safety across the country, and to draw attention to problem areas, such as excessive speeding in certain jurisdictions.

Moving Forward

While the statistics from Detroit and Grand Rapids are concerning, they present an essential opportunity for these Michigan cities to address the issues contributing to their low rankings. Local authorities and community leaders must use this data to implement strategies that promote safer driving habits. Reducing speeding and increasing driver education could be valuable steps in addressing these issues.

The aim is to create safer road conditions for all, thereby reducing accident rates and helping Michigan cities to climb the ranks to join safer driving cities. Constant vigilance and targeted intervention using data like that presented by Allstate’s report will be key in creating safer streets in Michigan.

Conclusion

It’s crucial for drivers to understand that their actions on the road not only affect their personal safety but the safety of others as well. By continuing to educate motorists on the consequences of speeding, abrupt braking, and mobile phone usage while driving, cities like Detroit and Grand Rapids can potentially shift their status from ‘riskiest’ to ‘safest’, improving road safety for all Michigan residents and beyond.