At least residents of the Knoxville area can take comfort that they are not the most dangerous drivers in the state. That distinction apparently falls to drivers in Memphis. Nationally, drivers get into a car accident about once every 12 years. In the Memphis area, it’s about once every 10 years. That’s according to a new study conducted by Allstate Insurance.
Still, that doesn’t even compare to the most dangerous city in the country to drive in, which is apparently Washington, D.C. According to media reports, drivers there are 100 times more likely to get into a car accident than in other parts of the country. By contrast, the safest city to drive in was determined to be Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
As for Memphis, it appears that drivers are simply not paying enough attention. One woman who drove a school bus in the Memphis area for years says that some drivers are “crazy” for pulling in front of buses, not giving bus drivers time to stop. Another driver says that one big problem is the Memphis drivers don’t like to use their turn signals and have a habit of cutting other drivers off, which can be especially dangerous.
Drivers here in Knoxville can take solace in the fact that they were determined to be the safest in the state. Even so, there are plenty of drivers out there who do not pay enough attention, so being extra diligent about safe driving is important for all.
Source: WREG, “Memphis drivers named the most dangerous in TN,” Adam Hammond, Aug. 29, 2012