Is Flying Safer Than Driving? You Might Be Surprised!

Is flying safer than driving? This question lingers in the minds of many travelers, especially in light of recent aviation incidents making headlines. Let’s examine the facts and statistics behind these two common modes of transportation.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

According to aviation safety experts, there’s no need to be afraid of flying. Air travel is the safest mode of transportation in the U.S., with injury and death rates consistently near zero each year since 2002. And air travel has become progressively safer over the years. For instance, the safety performance of the airline industry has improved by 48% over the past decade.

Comparing Risks: Air vs. Road

When it comes to comparing the safety of flying to driving, the contrast is stark. Anthony Brickhouse, a professor of aviation safety, told CNN, “If you make it to your flight, the most hazardous part of your day is actually behind you.” Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation supports this claim, showing that the average annual injury rate for air travel is just 0.01 injuries per 100 million passenger miles, compared to 48 injuries for cars and trucks over the same distance.

Addressing Recent Incidents

While incidents like the runway collision at Tokyo’s Haneda airport and the Alaska Airlines door plug blowout make headlines, they are outliers in an otherwise exceptionally safe industry. In 2022, there were 39 commercial aviation accidents worldwide, resulting in 158 on-board fatalities – equating to one accident every 0.83 million flights. In contrast, U.S. highways saw over 30,000 vehicle-related deaths in 2020.

Learning From Mistakes

Aviation continually evolves to enhance safety. Manufacturers and airlines implement new systems to prevent repeat accidents. The industry’s ability to learn from past mistakes is a key reason why flying gets safer over time. For example, Japan Airlines modified air traffic control procedures after a fatal runway collision, which is expected to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Bottom Line

A study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Arnold Barnett highlights the significant improvement in aviation safety over time. From 2018 to 2022, the global risk of dying in a plane crash was about one in 13.4 million per flight. This is a considerable improvement from the period between 2008 and 2017, where the risk was one in 7.9 million, and a dramatic drop from the late 1960s and 1970s when the risk was one in 350,000. To put it in perspective, you’re far more likely to be killed by a shark or give birth to quadruplets than to die in a plane crash.

While the fear of flying is understandable, the numbers make a compelling case: flying is much safer than driving. The rigorous safety measures in place and the industry’s commitment to continuous improvement ensure that air travel remains the safest mode of transportation. So, next time you board a plane, remember that statistically, you’re embarking on one of the safest journeys possible.

References: Is flying safer than driving? | Worried about how safe it is to fly? Here’s what the experts have to say