Bakersfield Among the Nation’s Worst for Dangerous Drivers, Analysis Reveals

Bakersfield has been identified as one of the cities with the worst drivers in the United States, according to a recent study analyzing fatal car accidents, impaired driving fatalities, distracted driving, and speeding.

The analysis by Forbes Advisor compared the 50 most populated U.S. cities across several key metrics — including the total number of fatal car accidents, the number of people killed in fatal crashes, and the number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver — to identify the cities with the worst drivers. It revealed that Albuquerque, New Mexico, has the worst drivers, followed by Memphis, Tennessee; Detroit, Michigan; Tucson, Arizona; and Kansas City, Missouri.

Bakersfield ranked No. 25 out of 50 cities in the country with the worst drivers, with a total score of 51.95 out of 100. The only other California city listed as in the “worst” list was Fresno at No. 22. The study found the following:

• 10.42 total crashes in Bakersfield per 100,000 residents
• 10.96 people killed in crashes 100,000 residents
• 2.14 crashes involved drunk drivers per 100,000 residents
• .34 crashes involved distracted drivers
• 2.92 crashes involved speeding

To determine which cities have the worst drivers, several key metrics were used, including fatal car accidents, alcohol-related traffic fatalities, distracted driving, and speeding. Officials compared the 50 most populated U.S. cities across five key metrics: the total number of fatal car accidents, the number of people killed in fatal crashes, the number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver, the number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver, and the number of fatal car accidents involving speeding.

Ultimately the study emphasized the importance of maintaining a clean driving record to secure the best car insurance rates.

“Let’s pave the way to safer roads in Bakersfield,” said Chain | Cohn | Clark  managing partner Matt Clark. “Drive mindfully, stay sober, avoid distractions, and respect speed limits. Let’s work together to make our streets safer for everyone.”

Chain | Cohn | Clark for many years has highlighted the problems within our community regarding impaired driving, pedestrian safety, bicycle accidents, and overall motor vehicle crashes to improve these deadly statistics. Specifically, Kern County’s roadway issues include:

• A nationwide study listed Bakersfield as the No. 2 most dangerous metropolitan area in the United States to be a pedestrian. The “Dangerous by Design” study by Smart Growth America found that our streets are designed primarily for the convenience of drivers, and not the safety of pedestrians, among other reasons.
• Our community has seen at least 4,000 DUI arrests made each year, according to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office – nearly 12 DUI arrests per day. Kern County ranks worst in the state for DUI crashes resulting in injuries, and second most in the United States. And during this pandemic, fatal crash rates have spiked, with speeding, lower seatbelt use, and impaired driving to blame.
• More cyclists died in traffic accidents across the state than during any three-year period in the past 25 years.

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If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, follow these three steps:

1) Obtain the name, address, insurance information, vehicle identification number (VIN) and driver’s license number of any and all persons involved in the accident, as well as the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all witnesses.

2) Make sure that a report is filed with the police, sheriff, or highway patrol, but do not talk to anyone else, especially insurance adjusters, about the accident or sign anything without first consulting an attorney. Chain | Cohn | Clark offers a free consultation.

3) Seek medical attention immediately and explain to your physician or surgeon all of the symptoms and complaints you have been feeling since the accident occurred.

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If you or someone you know is injured in an accident at the fault of someone else, or injured on the job no matter whose fault it is, contact the attorneys at Chain | Cohn | Clark by calling (661) 323-4000, or fill out a free consultation form, text, or chat with us at chainlaw.com.