Drivers – Memphis Flyer

You read that right. But who says so? QuoteWizard is an online site for consumers to research and compare insurance. Analysts at the company do an annual survey of which cities have the worst drivers in America and which have the best.

They look at two million car insurance quotes from drivers in America’s 70 largest cities. Cities are evaluated on four factors to determine overall driver quality: accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and citations (running a red light, using a cellphone while driving, etc.).

Cities with the fewest dangerous driving incidents are rated as the best. To those of us routinely navigating the Poplar corridor or the shooting gallery interstates or just trying to get into and out of suburban neighborhoods, this seems out of touch with reality.

But here’s what the report says about our fair city: “Memphis is famous for the blues and rock ‘n’ roll but it’s the city’s drivers that are music to our ears. This Tennessee city didn’t make our good drivers list last year, so moving all the way up to number five is impressive. Memphis ranks as one of the 10 best in both speeding and citations and in the top 15 for the lowest numbers of accidents and DUIs.”

So much for our long-held traditions of rolling our eyes and muttering “Memphis drivers!” as we witness the tomfoolery and witless piloting all over our streets.

And who could be even better at this driving business than we are?

How about Birmingham, Alabama at No. 1, followed by St. Louis, Little Rock, and New Orleans. And we’re well ahead of Nashville (14th) and Knoxville (16th).

But what we all want to know is, which city has the worst drivers? Who has usurped the crown we all thought was ours?

Omaha, Nebraska, had more DUIs than any other city and ranked in the top 15 in every dangerous driving category. Yeah, Omaha.

A record number of Tennesseans are expected to hit the road this Independence Day.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), 985,000 drivers are expected to be on the state’s roads this week. That’s nearly 5 percent more than the number of Tennesseans that traveled this time last year.

The rise state’s rise in travelers follows the national trend, as AAA estimates a record number of Americans — 41.4 million — are expected to travel by automobile this week. That’s 1.9 million more than last year.

AAA said the busiest day for driving will likely be Wednesday.

In order to make travel smoother for the nearly 1 million drivers expected to be on the state’s highways this week, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will suspend all construction-related lane closures beginning at noon on Wednesday until 6 a.m. on Monday.

“It is estimated that 985,000 motorists will travel Tennessee’s interstates and state routes this July 4th holiday,” TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright said. “To help motorists reach their destinations safely and without unnecessary delays, we are suspending lane closures during this holiday travel time.”

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Still, workers could be present in construction zones where reduced speed limits will remain in effect. Speeding in work zones could result in a $250 to $500 fine, according to TDOT.

AAA attributes the increase in drivers in part to lower gas prices compared to this time last year.

Memphis’s average price for a gallon of regular gas decreased by about 17 cents from this time last year.

The average price for regular gas in Memphis as of Tuesday is $2.43 per gallon. That’s a little less than Nashville’s average of $2.48 per gallon and slightly more than Chattanooga’s and Knoxville’s average prices of $2.36 and $2.39 per gallon respectively.

Across the country, gas is most expensive in California where the average price per gallon is $3.77. The country’s lowest gas prices are currently just south of Memphis in Mississippi. A gallon currently averages $2.34 there.

Try AAA’s gas cost calculator to see how much your travel plans will cost you.