North Carolina motorists received good news in a study that analyzed the places in the United States that are the best, and worst, for drivers. Among the 100 largest cities in the United States, Raleigh was named the best city to drive in, with Charlotte ranking ninth and Greensboro 10th.
In its comprehensive ranking, Wallethub, a website that provides credit reports and other financial services, evaluated 30 road-related factors divided into four main categories:
- Cost of ownership and maintenance — Along with the cost of a new car and gas prices, this category includes average expenses for maintenance, parking and insurance premiums. Reviewers also consider extra costs, such as fuel wasted while sitting in traffic and repairs resulting from substandard roads. In addition to its overall top rating, Raleigh was deemed the city most free of these scourges.
- Traffic and infrastructure — This category includes a wide range of factors, such as weather conditions, hours spent in road congestion and road quality. Opinions of area motorists are taken into account by incorporating the Driver Satisfaction Rating generated from users of the Waze app.
- Safety — Various measures of road danger are used here, such as the likelihood of accidents, the number of hard-braking events and the rate of car thefts. Relevant laws and seatbelt use also contribute to the overall safety score.
- Access to vehicles and maintenance — Convenience is measured by counting how many dealerships, repairs shops, gas stations and car washes are located within a given city.
Each of the first three categories counted for 30 percent of the total score. Access to vehicles and maintenance made up the other 10 percent. In addition to the three North Carolina cities mentioned, Durham came in at 19th.
Of course, even under the best driving conditions, serious accidents occur. If you or someone in your family was harmed during a vehicle collision, hiring a qualified personal injury lawyer gives you the best chance to recover appropriate compensation in a trial or settlement. Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban assist crash victims and their loved ones throughout Virginia and the Carolinas. For a free consultation, please call (888) 351-1038 or contact us online.