California cities rank among riskiest in US for driving

Six California cities are featured in the top 10 riskiest places to drive in the United States, according to new data from LendingTree. The rankings, based on QuoteWizard insurance quote data collected between August 2025 and July 2026, highlight significant accident rates across the state's largest urban centers.

San Diego ranked second nationwide with 28.2 crashes per 1,000 drivers. Los Angeles and San Francisco tied for third place with 26.9 crashes per 1,000 drivers. Other California cities in the top 10 include Sacramento in sixth place, followed by Long Beach and San Jose. Raleigh, North Carolina, recorded the highest rate at 29.1 crashes per 1,000 drivers, while the national average stood at 17.9.

LendingTree auto insurance expert Lindsay Bishop attributed the high accident rates to a combination of traffic congestion, road conditions, driving habits, and increased time spent on the road. She noted that crowded freeways and frequent lane changes in California create more opportunities for accidents.