As a driver in New Mexico, you’ve probably seen accidents on the road, and may have been in a few yourself over the years. But you may not know how often the average driver gets into an accident.
Insurance companies gather data on car accidents and auto insurance claims, and they’ve been able to come up with various rate statistics. These can tell us how often even the safest drivers experience accidents.
Car accident rates
According to insurance company data, the average driver makes a collision claim around once per 18-year period. While drivers who they’d consider the safest drivers will only make a claim every 25 to 30 years.
Of course, these are just averages. Some drivers can drive for decades and never file a claim, suggesting they’ve never been in a serious accident. On the other hand, some drivers might file a collision claim as frequently as every six months or so.
But when talking about averages across thousands or even millions of drivers, the rates are about 15 to 30 years. If you’re filing a claim toward the lower end, you’re a driver more prone to collisions. If you’re filing a claim closer to the high end, you can consider yourself to be a statistically safe driver.
The limitations of safe driving statistics
Keep in mind, though, that safe driving statistics aren’t perfect. One very significant factor can distort stats like the ones shared above. People who drive more are more likely to get in accidents, even if they’re safe drivers.
Some drivers might have a fifty-plus mile commute every weekday and log tens of thousands of miles yearly. Others might only drive a few miles a week. Defining a safe driver statistically can be tricky, and exceptions will always exist.
As a general rule, a safe driver is someone who files a collision claim no more than every 25 to 30 years. But mileage is also a major factor in how frequently a driver gets into a car accident.
