Allstate Insurance Company recently released its ninth annual Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report for 2013. The report is based on Allstate claims data and it ranks which of the 200 largest cities (populations over 50,000) in the United States has the safest or worst drivers.

For the second year in a row, the report lists Washington, D.C. as the city with the worst drivers in the U.S. Though New Jersey drivers may breathe a sigh of relief that New Jersey is no longer singled out as the state with the worst drivers, three New Jersey cities – Newark, Paterson, and Jersey City – rank amongst the top 20 cities with the worst drivers in the nation.

However, what is perhaps even more alarming than New Jersey’s poor reputation for safe driving is the growing number of automobile accidents that occur on New Jersey roads each year. In 2012, the New Jersey Department of Transportation reported more than 241,000 automobile accidents. In those accidents, more than 60,000 people were injured, and more than 500 killed.

Even though the drivers in certain New Jersey cities may represent some of the worst drivers in the country, this generalization is certainly not true of all New Jersey drivers. Every day that we are on the road, there are actions that we can take to avoid collisions and make the road safer for everyone around us. Here are some tips to remember next time you get into the car:

• Maintain a safe distance between vehicles, especially large ones such as semi-trucks, whose drivers generally have limited visibility.
• Don’t drive while you are sleepy or tired – you want to remain alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Don’t drive while intoxicated.
• Avoid unnecessary distractions while driving – put away the phone.
• Drive defensively – if you see a vehicle that is speeding or weaving in between lanes, let the car pass you and stay out of its way.

Remembering safe driving measures like these can help you avoid many car accidents. However, sometimes accidents are unavoidable. If you were injured in an automobile accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the other driver. An experienced personal injury attorney in New Jersey can review your claim and make sure your rights are protected.