A new study analyzed 36 U.S. cities to rank the top ten where driving may be less advisable based on an analysis of three primary factors: traffic-related fatalities in urban areas per 100K people, vehicle ownership rates, and traffic delay times. Each city’s overall Driving Risk Score was then calculated as the weighted average of the scaled variables, normalized between 1 and 100, to facilitate interpretation. Cities were ranked according to this score, with higher scores suggesting areas where driving is more hazardous.
| City | State | Population | Number of fatalities in urban areas in a year | Number of fatalities in urban areas in a year per 100K people | Vehicle ownership rate | Traffic Delay Times | Composite Score (equal weights) |
| Atlanta | Georgia | 514K | 90 | 17.5 | 94.70% | 61 | 100 |
| Los Angeles | California | 3.7M | 338 | 8.9 | 92.30% | 89 | 94 |
| Jacksonville | Florida | 997K | 138 | 13.8 | 94.60% | 66 | 93 |
| Nashville | Tennessee | 687K | 100 | 14.6 | 96.00% | 56 | 90 |
| Memphis | Tennessee | 613K | 207 | 33.8 | 92.10% | 12 | 89 |
| Houston | Texas | 2.3M | 300 | 12.9 | 94.10% | 62 | 84 |
| Chicago | Illinois | 2.6M | 169 | 6.4 | 87.40% | 96 | 75 |
| Dallas | Texas | 1.3M | 211 | 16.2 | 95.20% | 38 | 72 |
| Tucson | Arizona | 548K | 130 | 23.7 | 92.90% | 14 | 61 |
| Indianapolis | Indiana | 876K | 126 | 14.4 | 93.90% | 34 | 57 |
Atlanta, Georgia, leads as the most challenging city for drivers with a composite score of 100, where 94.7% of adults own cars, leading to significant traffic delays of 61 minutes. Los Angeles follows with a score of 94, having the longest delay time of 89 minutes, while Jacksonville, Florida, scores 93 due to high vehicle ownership and traffic fatalities. Nashville, Tennessee, and Memphis, Tennessee, rank fourth and fifth with scores of 90 and 89 respectively, with Memphis having the highest fatality rate.
Houston, Texas, scores 84 with substantial traffic delays and fatalities, while Chicago, Illinois, ranks seventh with the longest delay time of 96 minutes but a lower fatality rate. Dallas, Texas, scores 72 with high vehicle ownership and fatalities, Tucson, Arizona, at 61, has a high fatality rate despite low delay times, and Indianapolis, Indiana, ends the list with a score of 57, marked by moderate fatalities and delays.
A spokesperson from Conboy Law Injury & Medical Malpractice Lawyers who commissioned the study commented on the results: “Driving in busy urban areas poses significant challenges, especially where high vehicle ownership and heavy traffic create a dense, often risky environment. Prolonged traffic delays, combined with a large number of cars on the road, can lead to frustrating commutes and heightened accident risks. Cities with elevated fatality rates highlight the serious hazards of navigating crowded streets. These trends underscore a common issue: as urban areas grow, the need for safer, more efficient traffic solutions becomes critical to support smoother and safer travel for drivers.”
