Allstate study ranks Hialeah, Pembroke Pines among worst winter drivers

Allstate is urging South Florida motorists to be extra cautious on the roads this winter, citing a new company ranking that places two Miami-area cities among the ten worst places in the U.S. for winter driving.

In the study, Allstate ranked Hialeah at No. 6 and Pembroke Pines at No. 10 on its list of the “worst winter drivers.” The top ten also included three other Florida cities, Gainesville at No. 4, Tallahassee at No. 5, and St. Petersburg at No. 9.

Allstate said the winter holiday season typically brings some of the most dangerous driving conditions nationwide. The company attributed the risk to icy roads in colder climates and to warm-weather states experiencing an influx of out-of-state drivers.

Allstate said it analyzed the top 200 metro areas in the country, comparing claims data, trip patterns, and roadside service events to identify cities with the worst winter drivers.

The study said “worrisome winter driving” is largely linked to out-of-state drivers from warm-weather states, noting that six of the top ten cities were in warm-weather states that see little to no snow annually. “A surge in out-of-state drivers can lead to unfamiliar routes, heavier congestion and higher crash risk, making planning and caution essential for holiday travel,” the study said.

Allstate also included driving and vehicle-prep tips drawn from its data. It said phone usage among drivers is worst on New Year’s Eve, speeding increases the weekend before Christmas with many drivers going more than 15 mph over the limit, and hard braking peaks midday on Christmas Eve. The company said December 26 is the busiest day of the year for roadside events and advised drivers to check for car issues before the last week of the year.

“Cold weather can turn minor issues into major problems,” Allstate safety expert Brian Tidwell said in the study. He recommended checking a vehicle’s battery, inspecting tires, topping off fluids, keeping the gas tank at least half full, and packing an emergency kit.