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WASHINGTON — State governors gathered at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) headquarters in Washington Feb. 21 to show support for the department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) and encourage action towards safer roads for all. The event included an overview of data, personal stories, and examples of innovative steps states are taking toward zero roadway fatalities. During the event, the DOT released the 2024 NRSS Report; the original NRSS was released in January 2022. The DOT also announced the addition of 41 new “Allies in Action” — businesses and organizations across the nation that are working to support the NRSS in reversing the crisis on America’s roads. In the program’s two years of operation, the USDOT has received a total of 160 commitments. “In the two years since we launched the National Roadway Safety Strategy, the Biden-Harris administration has taken action to make roads safer, emergency responders more efficient, and vehicle safety technology stronger, contributing to six straight quarters of decreasing traffic deaths—but America still loses tens of thousands of lives on our roads every year, and we must do more,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The updates we’re announcing today show that progress is possible, and we continue our call to action for all Americans to join with us and the partners who have already stepped up to save lives on our roadways.” The report provides an update on the USDOT’s efforts to address severe and fatal injuries on America’s roadways, details the department’s accomplishments related to addressing the NRSS actions in 2023 and identifies four new commitments to actions under the NRSS in calendar year 2024 and beyond. The most significant actions in 2023 include: Awarded $1.7 billion in funding to improve roadway safety at the local, regional and tribal levels through the Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program. Over 1,000 communities received funding, representing close to 70% of all Americans. Accelerated the deployment of new motor vehicle safety technologies through rulemaking for automatic emergency braking on all new passenger vehicles and heavy vehicles such as commercial trucks. Initiated an advance notice of proposed rulemaking for impaired-driving prevention technology standards to inform requirements that will deter behaviors such as alcohol-impaired driving. Updated key road safety regulations such as the new edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and revised guidance to encourage states using federal-aid funds to use repaving and rehabilitation projects to improve safety for all road users. Expanded the use and support of the National Emergency Medical Services Information System by accepting data from all 50 states, two territories and the District of Columbia. Of the additional 41 supporters, 36 came from state and territory organizations, including transportation agencies and state highway safety offices. State agencies and offices, along with all Allies in Action, have committed to taking specific and tangible steps to actively reduce the number of deaths and severe injuries on America’s roads and streets. To achieve this, the plan is to expand the adoption of a Safe System Approach and a Zero Fatalities vision nationwide and transform how the nation thinks about road safety. Allies in Action spans multiple sectors, including health and safety advocates, the private sector, municipal and law enforcement organizations, and more. “The department won’t achieve zero deaths on our roadways alone, which is why involving stakeholders across the country, at every level of government, philanthropy, advocacy, and the private sector, is key,” said U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg. “The National Roadway Safety strategy is driving a cultural shift that treats roadway deaths as unacceptable and preventable. We have an incredible opportunity with President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allows us to make a generational investment in America’s transportation network.” New voluntary commitments from Allies in Action include: 36 total state and territory submissions from their transportation agencies and highway safety offices will implement proven safety countermeasures, Complete Streets policies and plans, revisit policies around speed setting, and advance infrastructure improvements for vulnerable road users. Many states discussed a commitment to work zone and rural road safety enhancements as well as emergency notifications to alert roadway users of significant incidents and weather. States have also committed to engaging stakeholders to identify community highway safety concerns and solicit input on potential solutions, pursue cutting-edge data analytics that utilizes historical crash data, enforcement data, and various third-party, real-time data salets to see traffic safety data in a new way. They will also pursue outreach and education efforts related to speed management and rural-high-risk road safety improvement projects. States and territories that have made a commitment or are in the last stage of finalizing their commitment include: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Beyond Lucid Technologies (BLT) is dedicated to working with fleet operators — starting with ambulance and fire services — to ensure that when a crash occurs, first responders have critical clinical context about the vehicle’s occupants and can provide the most informed care possible. The company’s HALCYON Post-Crash Intelligence platform is being piloted in two states to demonstrate the value of post-crash care technology that provides critical information about who was likely involved in the crash such as the number of people and their critical health contexts. BLT aims to deploy this technology in additional states by mid-2024 to help Responders to a crash involving an ambulance or fire vehicle know the health context of those impacted. The Ford Fund continues to provide philanthropic funding to promote affordable, reliable and safe mobility. The centerpiece of its efforts to promote safer transportation for all is the “Driving Skills for Life” program in the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific. Entering its 21st year in partnership with the Governors Highway Safety Association, this program invites newly licensed and permitted teenage drivers to go through various hands-on training exercises. In 2024, the Ford Fund will enhance its programming to include discussions around vulnerable road user safety, outreach to teen drivers without access to driving resources and training, and outreach to stakeholders around the Safe Systems Approach philosophies and messaging. The Ford Fund also provides grant funding to nonprofit organizations addressing roadway safety, emphasizing programs promoting safer conditions for vulnerable road users. In December 2023, the Ford Fund announced a $5 million investment in mobility solutions focused on addressing transportation insecurity in Ford’s hometown communities in Southeastern Michigan, Louisville, Kansas City, Chicago, Ohio, West Tennessee and Buffalo. Stellaris, the maker of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Maserati brand vehicles, is committed to enhancing safety for drivers, passengers, and all roadway users by raising awareness about vehicle safety recalls through public awareness campaigns and by taking steps to raise the repair rate for vehicles with open recalls — especially among underserved communities where repair rates are disproportionately lower, including communities of color, tribal nations, rural areas, low-income populations and military families. Throughout 2024, this will involve attending events at multiple military bases, participating in tribal nation traffic and health safety events, and collaborating directly with community leaders to create and deliver purpose-built communications for their communities. More specifically, Stellantis will conduct media buys in high-risk communities, triple door-to-door canvassing staff from 50 to 150 canvassers, expand canvassing from 29 to more than 70 metro markets, provide all U.S. military branches with digital and physical marketing content for distribution to service members, and engage tribal safety professionals to offer digital and physical safety materials to share with their communities. The National Center for Rural Road Safety will connect with and train rural practitioners across the country. Their signature training is the Road Safety Champion Program, a “Safety 101” certificate training for staff from transportation, public health, and law enforcement agencies who have an interest in roadway safety but are not safety experts. The Center will also promote rural traffic safety culture through its annual Rural Road Safety Awareness Week. Additionally, they will connect rural and tribal practitioners with the people, technical assistance, rural safety practices and resources, and federal funding opportunities they need to implement the Safe System Approach to get to Zero Fatalities and Serious Injuries. The DOT’s NRSS was launched in 2022 in response to the crisis of roadway deaths in America, which had been steadily rising since 2010 before surging in 2020. In a positive sign, the last six quarters have shown small decreases in traffic fatalities, according to preliminary data. The NRSS outlines a concrete set of actions the DOT has committed to and adopts a five-pronged approach that includes: Safer people Safer vehicles Safer speeds Safer roads Better post-crash care During the February event, the DOT announced $1.25 billion in funding available for the next round of its Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program. These competitive grants help cities, counties, tribes and metropolitan planning organizations create safety plans, demonstrate effective strategies and implement safety projects that prevent deaths and severe injuries on our nation’s roadways. For more information, click here (https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A). For a complete list of NRSS Allies in Action, along with a message from Buttigieg, click here.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A week after hitting a $4 national average, diesel fuel prices are flat, according to the latest from the Energy Information Administration. The average price sits at $4.109 as of Feb. 19, the same price as it was on Feb. 22, when it rose to that level from $3.899 on Feb. 5. Some areas of the country saw declines. In New England, the average price dropped to $4.320 a gallon on Feb. 19, down from $4.350 on Feb. 12. The Midwest and Gulf Coast areas also saw declines at $4.010 and $3.844 per gallon, respectively. The highest prices in the nation are in California, where the average cost per gallon rose to $5.258 on Feb. 19, up from $5.250 on Feb. 12. California is the only state where diesel averages are above $5 per gallon.

LOS ANGELES — A burning truck’s fuel tank exploded early Thursday while Los Angeles firefighters were trying to battle the blaze, injuring nine of them, including two critically, fire officials said. All nine were rushed to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and were stabilized, said Dr. Molly Dean, a trauma surgeon. One of the critical patients had to be intubated and was transferred to a burn unit at Los Angeles General Medical Center. Of the other injured, four suffered moderate injuries and three had minor injuries, said Capt. Erik Scott. a fire spokesperson. “Essentially, we had a mass casualty incident, tragically, of or own members,” Scott said. In TV news helicopter video, discarded firefighting gear could be seen at the site where the injured crew members were initially treated. The explosion occurred six minutes after firefighters arrived on the scene. The vehicle was the tractor portion of a big rig and was fueled by compressed natural gas carried in two 100-gallon tanks, one of which exploded, Scott said. “That explosion was significant,” he said. “The ball of flame was as high as these telephone poles, and it actually did explode one of the transformers nearby.” The truck was completely destroyed, and firefighters stayed well back as a small flame continued to burn in the mangled wreckage, the helicopter footage showed. Scott said the second fuel tank was “still off-gassing and therefore there’s a minor threat.” The driver had stepped away from the truck to call 911 and was not injured. After the explosion, some 160 firefighters responded. The blast occurred adjacent to an industrial area separated from a neighborhood by a wide street and a rail line. Wilmington is 18 miles south of downtown, near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. No homes were in danger, Scott said, though a large perimeter was set up after the explosion, and some 160 firefighters responded. “Today is a day, I think, where all of us can take a moment to recognize how intrinsically dangerous firefighting can be,” said fire Chief Kristin Crowley. She said her department would review their response. “This team is highly trained, and it will look at every single aspect of this incident and gather the opportunities for improvement and lessons learned,” she said.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Truck drivers across the nation are paying more for a gallon of diesel than they were a week ago. The average price for a gallon of diesel has risen above $4 a gallon for the first time since Dec. 4, 2023, according to the Energy Information Administration. The price sits at $4.109 per gallon as of Feb. 12, up from $3.899 per gallon on Feb. 5 and $3.867 per gallon on Jan. 29. Prices were up across the nation, with the highest average in California at $5.250 per gallon. The lowest price is along the Gulf Coast at $3.865 per gallon, according to the EIA. Global stocks of diesel and other middle distillates are below normal and prices could start to rise quickly if the industrial economies of North America and Western Europe emerge from their lingering recession in 2024, according to Reuters.    

HARTFORD, Conn. — Parts of the Northeast were preparing Monday for a coastal storm that was expected to pack high winds and dump a foot or more of snow in some areas, leading to school closures, warnings against road travel and the possible disruption of flights. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania has issued commercial motor vehicle bans in certain areas because of the storm. The nation’s largest school system in New York City said it was switching to remote learning and closing its buildings Tuesday because of the impending storm. “With several inches of snow, poor visibility on the roads, and possible coastal flooding heading our way, New Yorkers should prepare in advance of tomorrow’s storm and take the necessary precautions to remain safe,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. “If you do not have to be on the roads tomorrow, please stay home.” Some of the highest snowfall totals were forecast for the northern suburbs of New York City and southwestern Connecticut, where 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters) were possible, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts could hit 60 mph (100 kph) off the Massachusetts coast and 40 mph in interior parts of southern New England. “It will make for a messy commute tomorrow morning,” Christina Speciale, a meteorologist for the weather service in Albany, New York, said Monday. “This is a fast-moving storm, so things should be cleared out by tomorrow afternoon.” Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey told all non-essential Executive Branch employees to not report to work Tuesday. Boston schools were closing and a parking ban was in effect. Similar closures and bans were put in place in other cities and towns. Emergency officials had equipment in place to help keep roads clear. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the city’s homeless shelters would remain open. “With the arrival of our first major snowstorm this winter, city teams are prepared to clear our roadways and respond to any emergencies during the storm,” Wu said. Healey warned of downed power lines and coastal flooding, saying the heaviest snow would be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Let’s be smart and not too glib about things,” Healey told reporters. “We haven’t seen big storms in some time but the teams are predicting that this is going to be a real storm.” Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee signed an executive order shuttering state government offices on Tuesday and banning tractor-trailer travel on all interstates and state roads beginning at midnight. McKee said he issued the tractor-trailer ban in coordination with Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. Transportation officials in Pennsylvania warned against unnecessary travel and said vehicle restrictions would go into effect early Tuesday on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other major roads. The city of Scranton said City Hall would be closed Tuesday, a public meeting on stormwater projects was cancelled, and parking downtown was banned to allow for rapid plowing of streets. Airports in the region asked travelers to check with their airlines in case of cancellations and delays. Power companies said they were preparing to respond to possible outages that could occur because of trees and branches falling onto electricity lines. “The hazardous conditions can also make travel challenging for our crews, so we’re staging extra staff and equipment across the state to ensure we’re ready to respond as quickly as possible,” said Steve Sullivan, Eversource’s president of Connecticut electric operations. The storm was expected to bring a mixed bag of weather to New Jersey. Most of the north and center of the state was expecting 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) of snow, more in some spots. Rain was expected elsewhere in the state, with around an inch of snow possible toward the end of the storm if temperatures turned cold enough. The rain was forecast to start late Monday then turn to snow in northern areas early Tuesday. Officials said travel would be treacherous in north Jersey. On Monday afternoon, dozens of shoppers loaded snow shovels and bags of ice melt into their cars at a Lowe’s Home Improvement Store in Stony Brook, New York, where up to 10 inches of snow was forecast. “I’m just trying to make sure I’m prepared early,” said Mark Richardson, 29, as he unloaded a yellow shovel into the back of his SUV. “This will be the first big snowfall this year. All I have to do is get to the highway and I’m fine.” Richardson, an ironworker, said he plans to shovel his driveway early Tuesday morning and try to make it to his regular commuter train into New York City. At a news conference, New York City officials said that despite the snow predictions, they had no plans to relocate people from several large, heated tent shelter complexes built for thousands of homeless migrants. “Those structures are designed to handle inclement weather,” said the city’s emergency management commissioner, Zachary Iscol. He said the city wasn’t expecting the type of strong winds or coastal flooding that prompted the evacuation of one of the tent shelters last month. In the South, flood watches covered much of Alabama and parts of central Georgia on Monday. Up to 5 inches of rain was expected in parts of Georgia and Alabama, the National Weather Service warned. Thunderstorms were rolling through both states Monday, and the rough weather also extended into the Florida panhandle.

LUBBOCK, Texas — The remnants of a slow-moving atmospheric river storm that pummeled California last week delivered the first notable snowfall of the season across eastern New Mexico, with the National Weather Service warning Sunday of snowpacked and icy roads as the system headed toward the Texas Panhandle and central Oklahoma. A winter storm advisory was issued for eastern New Mexico, including the city of Roswell. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque said temperatures were in the mid-30s, which is up to 25 degrees below normal. “Hopefully it will diminish by sunset,” Jennifer Shoemake, a meteorologist for the weather service in Albuquerque, said Sunday. She said the storm system appeared to be headed next to the Texas Panhandle and central Oklahoma, where warnings were already in effect. The National Weather Service forecast up to 8 inches of snow Sunday in the west Texas city of Lubbock, with 1.3 inches already on the ground in Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle. The storms stem from a slow-moving system that first hit California early Wednesday. It moved out after days of wind, record rain and heavy snowfall that caused power outages, street flooding and hundreds of destructive mudslides around Los Angeles. It also dumped 3 feet of snow over three days in northern Arizona before tracking east on Friday and making its way Saturday into New Mexico. Shoemake said Albuquerque got up to 4 inches of snow Saturday, with the adjacent mountains getting anywhere between 6 inches and 9 inches. “Likely some decent skiing conditions,” Shoemake said. She was right. In Albuquerque, Sandia Peak Ski Area has opened up for the first time since 2022 with access to top-to-bottom skiing across 300 acres on all 35 trails. “It’s like we are in the clouds up there,” snowboarder Jovanni Orozco told Albuquerque TV station KOB. “Literally, it is like low you can’t even see nothing and then the snow just covers your goggles, but it’s fun!” The Arizona Snowbowl ski resort north of Flagstaff got 55 inches from the recent storms, bringing its snowfall total to 140 inches this season. All lifts and trails at the ski area were open Sunday. National Park officials closed the Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos, New Mexico on Saturday afternoon due to worsening weather, but it was reopened Sunday after snow removal operations.

MANCHESTER, Conn. — Two women in an Audi that was traveling the wrong way on Interstate 84 on the morning of Feb. 10 east of Manchester, Connecticutt, were killed after the vehicle hit a FedEx tractor-trailer head on, police said. Connecticutt State Police said 44-year-old Brenda Mendrell, of Hartford, Connecticutt, was driving the Audi westbound in the eastbound lanes of the highway near exit 61 around 4:30 a.m. State police said she crashed into the FedEx truck in the right lane, then hit another truck in the center lane. Mendrell and her passenger, identified as 44-year-old Jermyra Cortes, also of Hartford, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck in the center lane was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries, according to police, while the FedEx driver was uninjured. The investigation is ongoing.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A central Ohio city agreed this week to a settlement with a former K-9 officer and a truck driver involved in an attack last year, video of which garnered national attention and raised questions about the use of dogs to apprehend suspects. Records shared with The Associated Press by the city of Circleville show it will pay Jadarrius Rose $225,000 after he suffered bites from a dog that was part of the Circleville Police Department’s canine unit July 4. Rose signed the settlement documents on Jan. 8. Kenneth Abbarno, Rose’s attorney, said the settlement is a step towards accountability but the effects of the attack on the 24-year-old will stay with him. “What happened to Jadarrius can never be remedied,” Abbarno said. “This has permanently altered how he’s going to encounter law enforcement for the rest of his life.” Additional records signed Thursday by former officer Ryan Speakman, the dog’s handler, show that the city also agreed to pay him $40,000. Under the settlement, records relating to Speakman’s termination will be removed from his personnel file, he will submit a voluntary letter of resignation effective last July and he will be able to purchase Serg, the Belgian Malinois who bit Rose, from the city for $1. The city will also provide Speakman with a “neutral” letter of reference detailing his dates of employment, his position at the department and his pay rate at the time of his resignation, according to records. The city of Circleville did not respond to messages seeking comment on the settlements but shared the records via email. Speakman was placed on leave and then fired from the force after the agency said he “did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers.” Also as part of the settlement, the Ohio Patrolman’s Benevolent Association must withdraw a grievance the union filed arguing that he was fired without sufficient grounds. The union which has represented Speakman, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Speakman is scheduled to have an arbitration hearing Feb. 21. During Rose’s arrest near Circleville, recorded by police body cameras, Speakman let the dog maul Rose while he was on his knees with his hands in the air, as state troopers shouted for him to restrain the animal. Rose, then 23, of Memphis, Tennessee, required hospital treatment. A police report said the chase on Ohio Route 35 began because Rose’s truck appeared to be missing a mudflap and he did not stop for an inspection. Police have alleged that Rose initially refused to get out of the truck and later defied instructions to get on the ground. While the dog was on Rose, a trooper yelled: “Get the dog off of him!” Rose, in visible pain, said “Get it off! Please! Please!” before the attack ended. Audio recordings indicate that Ross told a 911 dispatcher the officers pursuing him were “trying to kill” him and he did not feel safe pulling over. He also said he was confused about why the officers were trying to stop him and why they had guns drawn after he briefly stopped before driving away. The dispatcher told Rose to stop and to comply with officers, and that they were not trying to harm him.

DALLAS — Cutting other people off. Failing to use a turn signal. Honking excessively. These and other activities can quickly identify a bad driver. And bad drivers are not only annoying, they can cause deadly accidents. Fatal car accidents are increasing across the country, with the number climbing by nearly 10% from 2020 to 2022. To determine which cities have the worst drivers, Forbes Advisor compared the 50 most populated U.S. cities across five key metrics. Forbes’ analysis identifies the cities where drivers engage in the most hazardous behavior that threatens public safety. Below are the results of the study. 1. Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque’s score: 100 out of 100 Albuquerque is the most dangerous city in America to drive in, with high incidents of fatal car accidents, drunk drivers and distracted drivers. Albuquerque has the highest number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver (5.42 per 100,000 city residents). It ranks third highest for the total number of fatal car accidents (17.11 per 100,000 city residents). Albuquerque reports the third highest number of people killed in fatal crashes (18.11 per 100,000 city residents). The city holds the fifth-highest spot for the number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (5.56 per 100,000 city residents). Albuquerque also has the sixth highest number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (4.67 per 100,000 city residents). 2. Memphis, Tennessee Memphis’ score: 98.51 out of 100 Memphis trails closely behind Albuquerque for dangerous driving behavior. Its key statistics include: Memphis has the highest total number of fatal car accidents (​​24.18 per 100,000 city residents). It has the highest number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (7.5 per 100,000 city residents). Memphis reports the highest number of people killed in fatal crashes (25.96 per 100,000 city residents). It ranks eighth highest for fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver (1.35 per 100,000 city residents). 3. Detroit, Michigan Detroit’s score: 94.97 out of 100 Detroit has a high number of fatal car crash victims. The city ranked second highest in these metrics: The total number of fatal car accidents (19.76 per 100,000 city residents). The number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (6.54 per 100,000 city residents). The number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (6.8 per 100,000 city residents). The number of people killed in fatal crashes (21.47 per 100,000 city residents). 4. Tucson, Arizona Tucson’s score: 93.02 out of 100 Tucson’s roads have many dangerous drivers, and the city ranked poorly in the following categories: Tucson ranks fourth highest for the total number of fatal car accidents (16.21 per 100,000 city residents). It also ranks fourth highest for the number of people killed in fatal crashes (17.02 per 100,000 city residents). Tucson has the sixth highest number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (4.94 per 100,000 city residents). The city holds the 10th highest spot for the number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (4.35 per 100,000 city residents). Tucson reports the 10th highest number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver (1.1 per 100,000 city residents). 5. Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City’s score: 91.19 out of 100 Out of all cities analyzed, Kansas City has the highest number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (7.07 per 100,000 city residents): Kansas City ranks fourth highest for its number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (5.34 per 100,000 city residents). It has the fifth highest total number of fatal car accidents (15.71 per 100,000 city residents). Kansas City reports the fifth highest number of people killed in fatal crashes (16.85 per 100,000 city residents). 6. Dallas, Texas Dallas’ score: 90.97 out of 100 Dallas follows closely behind Kansas City, scoring just 0.22 points lower in our ranking index. The city also: Has the third highest number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (6.25 per 100,000 city residents). Ranks fourth highest for its number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (5.69 per 100,000 city residents). Reports the seventh highest total number of fatal car accidents (14.61 per 100,000 city residents). Has the seventh highest number of people killed in fatal crashes (15.77 per 100,000 city residents). 7. Louisville, Kentucky Louisville’s score: 83.88 out of 100 Louisville isn’t just home to the Kentucky Derby — it’s also home to some of the worst drivers in America: Louisville reports the fifth highest number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver (1.47 per 100,000 city residents). It has the ninth highest total number of fatal car accidents (14.25 per 100,000 city residents). Louisville ranks 10th highest for the number of people killed in fatal crashes (14.99 per 100,000 city residents). 8. Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix’s score: 80.65 out of 100 Phoenix is the second-most dangerous city for drivers in Arizona, behind Tucson: Phoenix has the 10th highest number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (3.86 per 100,000 city residents). Phoenix ranks 11th highest for the total number of fatal car accidents (13.85 per 100,000 city residents). It also ranks 11th highest for the number of people killed in fatal crashes (14.59 per 100,000 city residents). 9. Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth’s score: 78.03 out of 100 Fort Worth is another Texas city with some of the worst drivers in the country, just three spots behind Dallas: Fort Worth reports the fifth highest number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver (4.7 per 100,000 city residents). It has the 11th highest number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver (0.92 per 100,000 city residents). The city also has the 12th highest number of fatal car accidents involving speeding (3.68 per 100,000 city residents). 10. Tampa, Florida Tampa’s score: 77.13 out of 100 Coming in 10th place for cities with the worst drivers is Tampa. Its key metrics include: Tampa reports the eighth highest total number of fatal car accidents (14.47 per 100,000 city residents). The city has the ninth highest number of people killed in fatal crashes (15.42 per 100,000 city residents). Tampa also has the 14th highest number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver (0.75 per 100,000 city residents).