Springs drivers ranked among nation's safest. Really.

To those who have eaten the dust of the driver doing 90 mph down Powers or slammed on the brakes to avoid the woman breezing through a red light while yakking on her phone, take comfort in this:

Colorado Springs drivers are the 10th safest in the U.S., according to a report released Wednesday by Allstate Insurance Company. On average, they will get into an auto collision every 11.8 years.

The national average for America's 193 largest cities is one accident every 10 years.

Allstate spokeswoman Christina Loznicka said the report is aimed at sparking discussion about driver behavior and risky roadways, which should lead to safer driving conditions.

"I think this is a great time to really have this conversation, when people are doing too much behind the wheel - things like playing on your cell phone, listening to your iPod, checking e-mails on a Blackberry," she said. "Adults are just as guilty of doing these things as teenagers."

If having an accident almost every 12 years seems like a lot, Loznicka said, take a look at other cities, especially those on the East Coast, with their overcrowded freeways. U.S. cities are improving as a whole, but the West is still safer than other regions.

"To give you an opposing perspective, our drivers in Washington, D.C., it's 5.1 years between an accident," she said.

So, Colorado Springs motorists - give yourselves a pat on the back. Just don't do it while you're driving.

To see the full listing of the best -- and worst -- cities for safe driving, click here.
--
Safest Cities for Driving
1. Sioux Falls, S.D.
2. Fort Collins
3. Chattanooga, Tenn.
4. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
5. Knoxville, Tenn.
6. Fort Wayne, Ind.
7. Lexington-Fayette, Ky.
8. Eugene, Ore.
9. Boise, Idaho
10. Colorado Springs
Source: Allstate America's Best Drivers Report

Contact the writer at 636-0368.