Road ruckus? Report says Pembroke Pines drivers tank during winter. Do you agree?

Have you noticed Pembroke Pines roads become more chaotic this holiday season? You’re not alone.

A new report from insurance giant Allstate claims the city is one of the top 10 areas where winter drivers struggle most.

The company released its Holiday Driver Report — ranking the cities that saw the biggest drop in safe driving practices during the winter season — on its website Wednesday, Dec. 10.

To rate the cities, Allstate extracted driver data ranging from Nov. 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, of its annual America’s Best Drivers Report and compared it to the yearly average of collision frequency in the nation’s most populous cities.

A “collision” is any vehicle crash that results in a property damage or collision claim, the report reads, and rankings are made solely with Allstate insuree data, which the insurer says accounts for 10% of all car policies nationwide.

Pembroke Pines edged itself into the holiday findings, ranking at No. 10 of municipalities most impacted by the winter driving season. The South Broward city — whose annual rank was 52 — dropped 72 spots, coming in at No. 124 in the America’s Best Drivers report.

If you’re wondering what’s to blame for the grim road ratings, Allstate’s safety expert, Brian Tidwell, makes one thing clear in its findings: “Holiday travel isn’t just about snow.”

Florida’s lack of winter weather does not protect it from out-of-state drivers who are unfamiliar with local routes and jammed streets, which Allstate considers one of the biggest factors in its ranking.

“Warm-weather states see the biggest influx of out-of-state drivers ... Arizona, Florida, and Texas experience out-of-state traffic increases of 30% to nearly 100% compared to typical levels,” reads the report. “A surge in out-of-state drivers can lead to unfamiliar routes, heavier congestion and higher crash risk, making planning and caution essential for holiday travel.

The Sunshine State has five spots on the Holiday Driver Report, with Gainesville (No. 4), Tallahassee (No. 5), Hialeah (No. 6) and St. Petersburg (No. 9) also making an appearance.

Though the winter season proves a risky time to hit the roads, Allstate stresses that the holiday season — Dec. 20 through Jan. 1 — is when dangerous driving behaviors peak.

Speeding jumps 10%, with many drivers going 15 miles per hour or more over the limit, the weekend before Christmas, and hard braking soars Christmas Eve thanks to last-minute shoppers.

Christmas Day averages the longest tow distances — up to 15 miles — and Dec. 26 sees the highest amount of roadside events year-round, according to the report.

And if you have long-distance loved ones you’d like to wish a happy New Year, make sure you grab your cell phone once you arrive at your destination. Phone handling while driving, Allstate says, is at its worst on New Year’s Eve.

“Stay prepared and stay focused,” Allstate’s safety expert, Brian Tidwell, told the Pembroke Pines News on Dec. 10. “Check your battery and tires, keep your gas tank at least half full, avoid distractions, and use tools like Drivewise and Allstate Roadside in the Allstate app.”

This story was originally published December 10, 2025 at 12:19 PM.