Seniors are the safest drivers in SLC Allstate Insurance finds that more experienced the drivers3, the fewer accidents they have

Brandon Loomis

Jul. 2, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Senior citizens are the safest drivers on Salt Lake City's roads, a report from Allstate (NYSE:ALL) Insurance indicates.

The insurer's claim counts for 2007 found that drivers 63 and older averaged just one collision every 11.9 years. That's good for a second-best ranking in the age group among large American cities, behind Tucson, Ariz.

By contrast, those Salt Lakers in the Generation Y group born between 1981 and 1995 wreck once every 6.9 years. Baby Boomers born from 1946 to 1964 average a crash once every 10.8 years. Generation X drivers born through 1980 crash every 9.7 years.

The study does not reflect miles driven, however, which may aid seniors' rankings because some drive less after retirement.

"We're more cautious, and that probably irritates the younger drivers," said 80-year-old Salt Lake City motorist Ruby Hammel, who also is an advocate on the AARP's executive council. "We stay within the speed limit. I don't know many older drivers who go fast."

She can't remember how many years it's been since her last accident, and whenever it was, it was caused by a "young gentleman" who rear-ended her. That's not to say that some older drivers aren't beyond their safe years behind the wheel. Hammel's husband was developing Alzheimer's disease when he got into an accident and couldn't remember how, she said. A doctor persuaded him to stop driving.

Generally, though, Hammel believes the numbers bear out her belief that you can't judge individual seniors based on the problems some older drivers exhibit.

"The more experience the drivers have, the less frequently they're going to be involved in accidents," Allstate spokeswoman Shelley Beeler said.

A city's density also seems to affect crash rates, Beeler said. Philadelphia seniors on average crash every 7.6 years -- an interval more than four years shorter than Salt Lake's.

Including all age groups, Salt Lake's accident rate was 87th best among the nation's 200 largest cities, with an accident expected every 9.8 years for the average driver. The best drivers were in Sioux Falls, S.D., where motorists averaged an accident every 14.6 years. The worst were in Washington, D.C.: one wreck per 5.4 years.

The numbers are based solely on accident claims submitted to Allstate, which insures about 13 percent of Americans. The data track accidents within city limits, not metro areas.

America's best drivers overall national list

Avg. yrs.

between

City collision

City

Avg. yrs.

between

collision

1. Sioux Falls, S.D. 14.6

2. Fort Collins, Colo. 13.4

3. Chattanooga, Tenn. 13.3

4. Sterling Heights, Mich. 13.2

4. Warren, Mich. 13.2

6. Knoxville, Tenn. 13.1

7. Grand Rapids, Mich. 12.9

7. Cedar Rapids, Iowa 12.9

9. Lexington, Kent. 12.8

10. Detroit, Mich. 12.4

87. Salt Lake City 9.8

Newstex ID: KRTB-0192-26387442