There are lots of good reasons to ride Metro when moving about the city. It’s cheaper and easier than buying and maintaining a car, it’s good for the environment, and it teaches patience. Perhaps the best reason to be a regular user of rail transport, however, is because placing oneself on or near a roadway in the metropolitan area will get you all smashed up with a probability approaching 1.

The Associated Press reports today on driver safety research conducted by Allstate Insurance. The good hands people examined two years of crash data in 197 major cities (actually 200, but three Massachusetts cities were omitted) to determine how often the average driver in each city got him or herself into an accident. Absolute worst in the nation? Newark, New Jersey. A proud number 196? The District, bitches. Before you gloat, neighbors, note; Arlington and Alexandria come in at 193 and 194, respectively, and Charm City drivers make the list at 188. Big Apple drivers are ranked 139th, and Los Angelenos 184th. Residents of Sioux Falls, South Dakota can go a decade and a half without a wreck, but if you live in D.C. for five years you’re going to have an accident.

Apparently, confusing and crowded roads are an issue, as is extensive construction. We suspect that the presence of diplomats doesn’t help, either. So, ride the rails, people, and spare yourself injury. That’s DCist’s stand.

Picture taken by willpwillp.

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