Safe drivers in Phoenix? Yes, according to an insurance firm's study. Phoenicians are less likely than any other big city drivers to be involved in car crashes, according to Allstate's 2008 "America's Best Drivers Report." Motorists in Arizona's capital hold this title for a fourth straight year.

Now, this doesn't mean drivers in Phoenix are the safest in the state or even the Valley - they aren't. And it certainly doesn't mean they're safer than the average American - again, they aren't, but not by much.

Click to view a map of road work in the East Valley

It just says of the cities with a population of at least 1 million where Allstate writes policies, Phoenix is the safest, as measured by years between collisions for the typical driver. In Phoenix's case, it's once every 9.8 years - 1.5 percent higher than the national average.

Of the 193 cities studied overall, Phoenix ranks 84th.

America's safest city is Sioux City, S.D., with an average of 14.6 years between collisions.

Coming in last was Washington, D.C., with its roundabouts and diplomats who think stop signs and lane striping represent American cultural imperialism. There, drivers need to wait, on average, only 5.4 years between crashes.

(Curiously, Allstate didn't rank any Massachusetts cities. A shame, because it would've been fun to see who wins in a comparison of Washington and Boston.)

Tucson takes top honors in the state, and is 39th overall, with an average of 11 years between crashes, 9.3 percent less likely than average. For the Valley, the residents of Scottsdale can take a bow: 10.6 years between crashes, 5.3 percent better than average, for a ranking of 53.

Right behind Scottsdale, at 55th, is Chandler: 10.5 years and 4.7 percent less likely. Other East Valley cities include Mesa (61st), Tempe (78th) and Gilbert (81st).

In other words, Phoenix looks good compared to other metropolises - but is less safe than the rest of the Valley.

TRACK GILBERT TRAFFIC CONGESTION

Ever wonder how many drivers take your morning commute route?

Well if you drive north on Gilbert Road at about 7:15 a.m. from Baseline to Guadalupe roads, you join more than 2,400 others on average.

It's true, according to Gilbert traffic statistics. And it's not even the town's busiest stretch of road as drivers rush to work.

That would be Val Vista Drive between Guadalupe and Elliot roads, where more than 2,600 commuters roll through.

Gilbert traffic officials track the numbers regularly and post the totals on the town's Web site. Statistics go back to 2004.

The data is broken down by streets and blocks, and peak travel times for each road during the morning and afternoon are listed.

To see how busy the roads are on your commute, visit www.ci.gilbert.az.us/traffic/counts07.cfm.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS

Rittenhouse Road will be closed between Sossaman and Hawes roads from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. July 14.

Germann Road will be shut down between Rittenhouse and Sossaman roads starting Friday.

There will be restrictions at Ellsworth and Cloud roads as crews prepare to widen Ellsworth Road.

Queen Creek Road is closed from Arizona Avenue to McQueen Road through Sept. 28 while crews widen the road to six lanes.

Traffic will be restricted to one lane on parts of Power Road from Riggs to Chandler Heights roads.

Cloud Road is closed from Sossaman to Power roads Tuesday through Thursday for new sewer line installation.

A lane-widening project on Ocotillo Road from Hawes to Ellsworth Loop roads will congest traffic.

Travel lanes will be restricted on Ocotillo Road near Rittenhouse Road for utility work.

Hunt Highway traffic near Anthem at Merrill Ranch will shift to the west side as construction continues for the instillation of a curb and sidewalk on the highway's east side. Traffic speed will remain 25 mph.