Future Predictions for Driving Safety in the Next Decade
The 2025 Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report is more than just a snapshot of where drivers are safest—or riskiest—right now. With a little analysis, the data paints a bigger picture. It hints at which cities might climb the ranks over the next ten years and which ones could fall further behind. Let’s break it down.
Cities on the Rise
Some cities are showing clear signs of improvement. Take Bellevue, Washington, for instance. It jumped a staggering 133 spots in this year’s rankings. What spurred such a dramatic rise? A focus on safer infrastructure. Better bike lanes, smarter intersection designs, and an investment in public safety campaigns. They’re doing the little things right.
And they’re not alone. Look at Anchorage, Alaska and Portland, Oregon—both made significant leaps forward. Why? It’s the Pacific Northwest “glow-up.” These areas have prioritized reducing traffic congestion and encouraging alternative commuting methods, like biking and public transit. Add to that the rise of electric vehicles and quieter roads. Could they continue this momentum? Seems likely.
Here’s a thought. What if more cities adopted these ideas? Building dedicated bus lanes. Adding speed cameras. Expanding light rail systems. Would it work everywhere? Maybe not. But for mid-sized cities like Madison, WI (#9 in 2025) or Fort Collins, CO (#3), it seems like a recipe for success.
The Declining Midwest
But not all regions are doing well. The Midwest? Taking heavy hits. St. Louis, Missouri, dropped 90 spots to #175. Des Moines, Iowa, fell 89 places to #108. Ouch.
What’s going on here? Experts blame aging infrastructure and increased traffic from suburban sprawl. More people commuting longer distances. More chances for collisions. And with roads that weren’t built to handle today’s traffic, it’s no wonder these cities are sliding.
Can they turn things around? Sure, but not without big changes. Revamping infrastructure. Adding smarter traffic signals. Even something as simple as filling the endless potholes can make a difference. But will they? That’s the question.
The Texas Takeover
Texas is shining, though. Four cities in the top 20 safest, including Brownsville, which claimed the #1 spot. What’s Texas doing that others aren’t?
First, they’re building safer roads. Cities like Dallas and Austin are implementing Vision Zero initiatives aimed at reducing traffic fatalities. Second, there’s a cultural shift toward safe driving apps, like Allstate’s Drivewise. These apps reward drivers for good behavior—smooth braking, staying off your phone—and Texans are buying in.
Plus, population growth. Yes, it’s booming in Texas, but it’s also spreading out. That means fewer mega-congested highways compared to traditional high-population hubs like New York or Los Angeles. Will Texas keep dominating? Bet on it.
The Bigger Divide
Here’s the scary part. The report shows a growing gap between the safest and riskiest cities. Safe cities, like Cary, NC (#4 in 2025) and Boise, ID (#2), are getting even safer. Meanwhile, places like Boston (#200) and Baltimore (#198) are slipping further behind.
This trend isn’t random. It’s tied to wealth disparities. Wealthy cities can afford to invest in road safety and tech upgrades. Struggling cities? Not so much. It highlights a tough reality. Without federal or state support, some areas might stay stuck in traffic… figuratively and literally.
Tech to the Rescue?
Technology might be the ultimate game-changer. Autonomous vehicles, for example, could shift the rankings dramatically. Imagine a future where human error—the cause of 94% of collisions—is largely eliminated. No speeding. No texting. Just cars safely navigating themselves.
But don’t get too excited. Self-driving cars are still years away from widespread adoption. And even when they arrive, they’ll probably show up in wealthier cities first. Think Silicon Valley, not Springfield.
Apps like Drivewise are already making waves, though. Drivers who use apps designed to monitor and encourage safe habits are 25% less likely to have a major accident. Will more cities start using data from these apps to incentivize good driving? It wouldn’t be surprising.
Solutions on the Horizon
What can we do to prevent the gap from widening? Start small. Cities can introduce affordable fixes, like protected bike lanes and improved crosswalk signals. They can also start public education campaigns to tackle distracted driving.
But larger-scale government initiatives will be key. Federal grants to modernize aging infrastructure. Subsidies for EVs to reduce highway pollution and stress. Even requiring safer vehicle features, like automatic emergency brakes, on more car models.
Some solutions might sound like a pipe dream. But here’s the thing—small changes add up. And the cities that take those steps? They’ll climb the ranks. Just ask Bellevue.
What About Your City?
Where’s your city on the list? Heading up, or on the decline? If you live in a place like Brownsville, it’s time to celebrate (and tell your neighbors to keep driving safely). For the rest of us? Maybe it’s time to rethink how we get from Point A to Point B.
Safe driving isn’t just about personal habits. It’s about communities, policies, and priorities. And as these rankings show, your city’s future is still unwritten.