Santa Clarita drivers suck – Allstate Insurance

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

All those 55mph roads plus the lack of patience and distractions can take their toll in the suburbs:

The Allstate Insurance Company (NYSE: ALL) today released its seventh annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report™.” The report ranks America’s 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which cities have the safest drivers, according to Allstate claim data.

For the past seven years, Allstate actuaries have conducted an in-depth analysis of company claim data to determine the likelihood drivers in America’s 200 largest cities will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average. Internal property damage reported claims were analyzed over a two-year period (from January 2008 to December 2009) to ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road construction.

A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property damage claim. Allstate’s auto policies represent about 10 percent of all U.S. auto policies, making this report a realistic snapshot of what’s happening on America’s roadways.

So how did Santa Clarita fare?

Well according to the report, Santa Clarita drivers average 8.8 years between accidents, a number that is 13.9% above the national average. We’re worse even than Lanacster, whose drivers average an accident every 10.8 years. LA drivers average an accident every 6.6 years, which made them the second-worst large driving city in the US.

Overall, out of the 200 cities studied, Santa Clarita ranks 124th. Fort Collins Colorado is America’s safest driving City, where drivers average nearly 16 years between accidents.

Allstate’s report doesn’t seem that rigorous to me, but I will say this jives with my view of the SCV. I’m hyper-alert and cautious whenever crossing a street because you never know when someone is going to blow through the crosswalk light and make a hood ornament out of you. The City? Well they’re part of the problem. They’re almost exclusively focused on one thing: moving cars quickly. That’s why they segregate cyclists onto off-street paths that many times end up in Nowheresville, that’s why they’re more than happy to add lanes to Newhall Avenue without building sidewalks for pedestrians, that’s why they’re so proud of the beautiful new high speed CVC and the triple turn lanes on Bouquet and Soledad.

And guess what? It works. Traffic flow in the City is very fast as I demonstrated a year ago.

But speed comes with a cost: collisions are not only more likely, but they are more likely to be severe.

Anyway not a lot to be proud of in this report, let’s wait and see how (or if) the City spins it.

Comments (13)

PreflyteSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:07 pm

Sad but true. I lived near Koreatown for years, and never had the problems I have had since living here. Driving is bad enough, don’t even try walking! Drivers don’t pay attention, they are on their cell phones (without headsets even), fighting with passengers, stereo up to 180dbs, blowing through stop signs, turning corners without looking for pedestrians. You take your life in your hands driving and walking around here. You are so right, Jeff, about the lack of planning for pedestrians. In Canyon Country, many “sidewalks” aren’t even paved completely, or they are just a curb and are not wide enough to walk on, leaving people with strollers and in wheelchairs no other choice but to navigate in the traffic lanes to get to their destination. Several people in my neighborhood have fallen getting off the bus because the unpaved walkways are just sand and rocks. I complained to the city council about the traffic problems years ago. Never got a reply, and nothing has been done.

Need for Involved CitizenrySeptember 1, 2011 at 8:30 pm

It will only get worse under OVOV. Below are some of the comments I made to City Staff regarding the Traffic Plan under OVOV: o The width of the streets required under the plan creates hazards and barriers for both pedestrians and bicyclists. The Austin Foust report identified 92 roadway segments at buildout. Of those, 48 will be 6 lane roads and 11 will be eight lane roads. 6 lane roads will be at least 8 lanes at intersections because of dedicated turn lanes and 8 lane roads will be at least 10 lanes. Therefore, pedestrians and bicyclists will be required to cross either 8 lanes or 10 lanes at 64% of the intersections identified in the report. The width of these intersections is at least 138’. Having a 2-3’ pedestrian island in the middle of these intersections is not what I would consider to be pedestrian of bicycle friendly. o The City proposes using Class III bike lanes on a number of roads that have vehicle counts exceeding 10,000 vehicles per day. This will be hazardous to bicyclists given the high number of vehicles planned for these roads. Of course, City Staff and consultants still maintained that OVOV was pedestrian and bicycle friendly.

CCSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:26 pm

I would like to know the statistics as to what type of accidents occur in SCV before I get my panties bunched. My guess is that most probably involve bikes that aren’t using the Paseo system. Just sayin’

Your Web GuruSeptember 1, 2011 at 7:45 pm

That could very well be the case in Stevenson Ranch (AKA “The STANCH”). I’m convinced that STANCH bike lanes are there for me and my two dogs to walk on as we avoid bicyclists riding the wrong way on the sidewalk.

Mr PerezSeptember 1, 2011 at 9:48 pm

I ride in the perfectly right direction on the sidewalk!

Mr PerezSeptember 1, 2011 at 9:52 pm

And if pedestrians can walk in any direction on the sidewalk why can’t I ride the same? I prefer the paseos but as of late the senior citizens out there are RUDE as all get out. I mean the Where’s The Beef lady told me to get a bell! Seriously?! Turn up your hearing aid to hear me say “PASSING ON YOUR LEFT!” next time! (Angrily steps of soap box)

dtransSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:42 pm

You have to remember that a majority of the City was developed before the City existed and under County jurisdiction. So to say that the City is entirely at fault is not entirely accurate. Granted, there are severe gaps in sidewalks. Jeff, the Council just approved at the August 23rd meeting to make a continuous sidewalk on Newhall Avenue (north side only at this point) for $400,000 from Sierra Hwy to Railroad Ave. The City has added bike lanes on Decoro, Avenue Stanford, and Avenue Scott recently. So to say that the City is not doing anything about walking and biking is a little bit over exaggerated. Could they do more? Certainly. Will they? Not sure. It appears there is not a lot of support in the community to do so. I mean look at what happened on Decoro.

gregSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:50 pm

Maybe Allstate drivers are just bad drivers in Santa Clarita.

NateSeptember 1, 2011 at 4:40 pm

What’s there to spin? This comes down to personal responsibilty.

VenturanSeptember 1, 2011 at 4:59 pm

City response*: “The City of Santa Clarita improved its position on the Allstate America’s Best Driver’s Report™ by 11 places, finishing amongst the top 125 safest driving cities in the nation. Mayor Marsha McLean lauded the report, citing a collaborative process and resident input that resulted in the improvements validated by the insurance giant.” *satire. Sad but true.

Need for Involved CitizenrySeptember 1, 2011 at 8:36 pm

I think you forgot to add that “the improvements were a result of extensive outreach by the City as a result of a City Council initiated program in order to save the residents of Santa Clarita money that could then be used by the City to improve landscaped medians further improving the safety and livability of the City.”

Mr PerezSeptember 1, 2011 at 9:49 pm

And you forgot to add that when SCV drivers screw up, they WON’T take responsibility and give you the “My Bad” sign. That is unless local custom dictates its the middle finger or a dirty look.

PetzSeptember 2, 2011 at 4:39 am

Petz encourages you to drive very carefully over to Lowes and stock up on Kingsford charcoal this weekend. 40 lbs. for $7.97 – for the Dems/Progressives who want to keep their carbon footprint down-they can get the 18 pound bag for $8.48. This is the best deal in town.

PreflyteSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Sad but true. I lived near Koreatown for years, and never had the problems I have had since living here. Driving is bad enough, don’t even try walking! Drivers don’t pay attention, they are on their cell phones (without headsets even), fighting with passengers, stereo up to 180dbs, blowing through stop signs, turning corners without looking for pedestrians. You take your life in your hands driving and walking around here. You are so right, Jeff, about the lack of planning for pedestrians. In Canyon Country, many “sidewalks” aren’t even paved completely, or they are just a curb and are not wide enough to walk on, leaving people with strollers and in wheelchairs no other choice but to navigate in the traffic lanes to get to their destination. Several people in my neighborhood have fallen getting off the bus because the unpaved walkways are just sand and rocks. I complained to the city council about the traffic problems years ago. Never got a reply, and nothing has been done.
Need for Involved CitizenrySeptember 1, 2011 at 8:30 pm
It will only get worse under OVOV. Below are some of the comments I made to City Staff regarding the Traffic Plan under OVOV: o The width of the streets required under the plan creates hazards and barriers for both pedestrians and bicyclists. The Austin Foust report identified 92 roadway segments at buildout. Of those, 48 will be 6 lane roads and 11 will be eight lane roads. 6 lane roads will be at least 8 lanes at intersections because of dedicated turn lanes and 8 lane roads will be at least 10 lanes. Therefore, pedestrians and bicyclists will be required to cross either 8 lanes or 10 lanes at 64% of the intersections identified in the report. The width of these intersections is at least 138’. Having a 2-3’ pedestrian island in the middle of these intersections is not what I would consider to be pedestrian of bicycle friendly. o The City proposes using Class III bike lanes on a number of roads that have vehicle counts exceeding 10,000 vehicles per day. This will be hazardous to bicyclists given the high number of vehicles planned for these roads. Of course, City Staff and consultants still maintained that OVOV was pedestrian and bicycle friendly.
CCSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:26 pm
I would like to know the statistics as to what type of accidents occur in SCV before I get my panties bunched. My guess is that most probably involve bikes that aren’t using the Paseo system. Just sayin’
Your Web GuruSeptember 1, 2011 at 7:45 pm
That could very well be the case in Stevenson Ranch (AKA “The STANCH”). I’m convinced that STANCH bike lanes are there for me and my two dogs to walk on as we avoid bicyclists riding the wrong way on the sidewalk.
Mr PerezSeptember 1, 2011 at 9:48 pm
I ride in the perfectly right direction on the sidewalk!
Mr PerezSeptember 1, 2011 at 9:52 pm
And if pedestrians can walk in any direction on the sidewalk why can’t I ride the same? I prefer the paseos but as of late the senior citizens out there are RUDE as all get out. I mean the Where’s The Beef lady told me to get a bell! Seriously?! Turn up your hearing aid to hear me say “PASSING ON YOUR LEFT!” next time! (Angrily steps of soap box)
dtransSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:42 pm
You have to remember that a majority of the City was developed before the City existed and under County jurisdiction. So to say that the City is entirely at fault is not entirely accurate. Granted, there are severe gaps in sidewalks. Jeff, the Council just approved at the August 23rd meeting to make a continuous sidewalk on Newhall Avenue (north side only at this point) for $400,000 from Sierra Hwy to Railroad Ave. The City has added bike lanes on Decoro, Avenue Stanford, and Avenue Scott recently. So to say that the City is not doing anything about walking and biking is a little bit over exaggerated. Could they do more? Certainly. Will they? Not sure. It appears there is not a lot of support in the community to do so. I mean look at what happened on Decoro.
gregSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Maybe Allstate drivers are just bad drivers in Santa Clarita.
NateSeptember 1, 2011 at 4:40 pm
What’s there to spin? This comes down to personal responsibilty.
VenturanSeptember 1, 2011 at 4:59 pm
City response*: “The City of Santa Clarita improved its position on the Allstate America’s Best Driver’s Report™ by 11 places, finishing amongst the top 125 safest driving cities in the nation. Mayor Marsha McLean lauded the report, citing a collaborative process and resident input that resulted in the improvements validated by the insurance giant.” *satire. Sad but true.
Need for Involved CitizenrySeptember 1, 2011 at 8:36 pm
I think you forgot to add that “the improvements were a result of extensive outreach by the City as a result of a City Council initiated program in order to save the residents of Santa Clarita money that could then be used by the City to improve landscaped medians further improving the safety and livability of the City.”
Mr PerezSeptember 1, 2011 at 9:49 pm
And you forgot to add that when SCV drivers screw up, they WON’T take responsibility and give you the “My Bad” sign. That is unless local custom dictates its the middle finger or a dirty look.
PetzSeptember 2, 2011 at 4:39 am
Petz encourages you to drive very carefully over to Lowes and stock up on Kingsford charcoal this weekend. 40 lbs. for $7.97 – for the Dems/Progressives who want to keep their carbon footprint down-they can get the 18 pound bag for $8.48. This is the best deal in town.