Americans are hitting the roads in record numbers for summer funand vacations.

Insurance agents and brokers have the opportunity to encourageeveryone to make safety their number one priority whenever they'rebehind the wheel. Not only will fewer accidents prevent costlyinsurance claims, it will also save lives.

More than 40,000 people died in car crashes in 2016, making itpotentially the most dangerous driving year since 2007,according to the NationalSafety Council. July and August are the deadliest months on theroad, with each averaging 116 traffic deaths aday, Insurance Institute forHighway Safety (IIHS), data has found.

Cities with best drivers

So, where in the United States are drivers least likely to havea collision? To answer that question, Allstate released its13th annual America's Best Drivers Report namingthe 10 safest-driving cities. 

This year's three safest cities, Kansas City,Kansas; Brownsville, Texas;and Madison, Wisconsin, retain theirplaces in the top three from last year's report,with Kansas City jumping ahead of 2016′swinner, Brownsville, to earn the titleof safest-driving city overall. Theaverage Kansas City driver is about 32%less likely to experience a collision than theaverage U.S. driver.

The 13th annual Allstate America's Best DriversReport named Kansas City,Kansas, the city with America's safest drivers. (Image: AllstateAmerica's Best Drivers Report)

Other highlights from the 2017 report include New YorkCity's significant improvement, rising 27 places from lastyear to the 116th spot overall,and Anchorage, Alaska's, distinction as the most improvedcity, thanks to a 35-spot jump to number 34 this year.

Visit Allstate.com/BestDriversReport for aninteractive map and full results for this year, as well ascollision-frequency rankings in previous years' reports. Continuereading for tips on safe driving, as well as a handy infographic toshare with your auto insurance clients:

Tips on safe driving

Understanding the risks that can cause crashes and impact acity's rank and drivers' safety is critical. According to theNational HighwayTraffic Safety Administration, preventable human factors, likedrunk, distracted and drowsy driving, speeding and failure to usesafety features, contribute to 94% of car crashes. The IIHS foundcrashes happen more frequently on Saturdays,during certain holidays, like the Fourth of July, andbetween the hours of 3-7 p.m.

• Eliminate distractions, including electronic devices, to ensureyou're fully prepared to stop.
• Allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
• Obey all traffic laws, including speed limits.
• Be aware of road conditions.
• Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicles in frontof you.
• Maintain your vehicle, so it's prepared for extremesituations. 

"With the improving economy and more driving, we'reunfortunately seeing more crashes and more crash deaths," said IIHSPresident Adrian Lund. "Summer travel for vacations andrecreation is often riskier than the daily commute. We hope thisyear's Best Drivers Report encourages more people to buckle up,watch their speeds, avoid distractions and stay off the roads afterdrinking alcohol."

(Courtesy of Allstate)

Related:

How telematics can help reduce autoaccidents

5 reasons why auto accidents are on therise

The most dangerous U.S. cities forpedestrians