This came to me today through my Google news. I am not quite sure what to make of this study. Here are the highlights:
- Drivers living near churches are less likely to be in accidents
- Drivers living near forests are less likely to be in accidents
- Living near a restaurant increases your chances of being in an accident
- You are more likely to be in an accident if you live near an elementary school than if you live near a liquor store
I seriously do not know the purpose of this study. The conclusion is that zip codes are not a good predictor of being in an accident. It took an insurance industry funded study to come up with this?
By the way, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights ridicules the study. I think they were better off ignoring this ridiculous study.
My conclusion: some insurance industry researches, some PR people, and some journalists have way too much time on their hands.