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TOP STORIES
TuesdayFebruary92010



x48
Austin drivers are worst in state
7/7/2008 9:04 PM
By: Reagan Hackleman

The average Austin driver will be involved in one collision once every 7.4 years.  
According to Allstate, Austin drivers have a higher chance of being in a collision than the average U.S. driver.

Many Austin drivers said this news is not shocking.

"No it doesn't surprise me," resident Carol Middleton said.

In January, Middleton was rear-ended by a driver on State Highway 183.

She blames both drivers and the government for Austin's higher crash numbers.

"I think a lot of the problem is the planning in Austin and growth,” Middleton said. “They haven't accommodated the number of people moving to Austin.”

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Austin traffic

According Allstate, Austin drivers have a higher chance of being in a collision than the average U.S. driver.



Middleton's opinion is not far off. Allstate said Austin's traffic is the biggest reason locals find themselves at the body shop more than others.

In fact, Austin ranks the worst in the state.

Drivers are 35 percent more likely to be involved in a collision than your average U.S. driver.

The average Austin driver will be involved in one collision once every 7.4 years. The nationwide average is one wreck every 10 years.

DPS said locals simply need to slow down, pay attention and not drink and drive.  
"Austin does have a lot of challenges in our flow of traffic," Department of Public Safety Trooper Robbie Barrera said.

In the short term there's not much that can be done about traffic flow and congestion.

DPS said locals simply need to slow down, pay attention and not drink and drive.

"If we can practice those in the City of Austin and surrounding areas, I think we could be taken off that list," Barrera said.

It’s a list that says Austin drivers are unsafe behind the wheel.

"People are rude. People seem to be in a hurry all the time," Middleton said.

So, at least one driver isn't surprised to see Austin near the top of the list.



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