Are Airplanes Safer Than Cars?
Recently, a tragic fatal incident on a Southwest airplane broke the United States’ unprecedented nine-year streak without a single passenger fatality. An engine of the aircraft exploded while the plane was in the air, sending debris into a passenger window. The window shattered, depressurizing the plane and pulling the passenger halfway out of the aircraft. Sadly, the passenger (43-year-old mother of two, Jennifer Riordan) did not survive her injuries.
Although experts are calling the death a “fluke” and a “freak accident,” it’s led many to wonder just how safe commercial airplanes are for passengers. Despite a previously long record of safety, planes in the U.S. haven’t been perfect – numerous incidents have occurred that have injured passengers and even killed bystanders. If you’re wondering which really is safer, a plane or a car, here’s your answer.
What Do the Statistics Say?
Most airplane passengers would admit feeling more afraid while flying then, say, on a trip to the grocery store in their car. Something about being on an airplane tends to make passengers doubt their safety. Yet the statistics for transportation in the U.S. show that, overwhelmingly, driving in a motor vehicle is more dangerous than flying in a plane.
The numbers for auto accidents with the most recent data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that around 35,000 people died in accidents in 2015. This comes out to around 11 deaths for every 100,000 residents of the country. The same year, the National Transportation Safety Board reported zero fatal aviation accidents.
The 27 non-fatal aviation accidents in 2015 equal about 0.155 crashes for every 100,000 hours of flight in the country. Based on these statistics, people in the U.S. have about a one in 114 chance of being in a fatal auto accident, but only a one in 9,821 chance of dying in a plane crash. Thus, the odds of you dying in a car accident are about 86 times greater than dying in an airplane crash. While these statistics only show fatal accidents, the ratios are similar in terms of nonfatal injury accidents.
Stigma Surrounding Air Travel
So, why do passengers hesitate to get on planes but not to get behind the wheel? It could perhaps be because auto accidents can cause minor to no injuries, while a plane crash is much more likely to cause severe, catastrophic, and fatal injuries. It could also be because passengers have zero control over the aircraft while in flight, unlike a driver’s certain level of control over his/her own safety while driving. Still, statistically, airplanes are in fact safer than cars. You have a much greater chance of being involved in a car accident than one involving an aircraft.
How to Maximize Your Safety on Board an Airplane
Flying is one of the safest possible modes of transportation. If you’re still afraid to fly, however, take steps to decrease your odds of an injury or death on a plane. For example, research your airline before buying a ticket. Plenty of studies exist that rate airlines from best to worst in terms of passenger safety. Choosing the right airline could help give you peace of mind during your flight.
AirlineRatings.com, for example, monitored 409 global airlines and ranked the top 20 safest in terms of fatalities records, age of planes, audit results, international regulations, and other factors. According to this list, Air New Zealand was the number one safest airline, followed by Alaska Airlines and All Nippon Airways.
Although you can’t prepare for every possible disaster scenario on a flight, you can pay attention to the airline’s safety instruction prior to takeoff. Complying with the rules, knowing where the nearest exit is located, and understanding what to do in an emergency could potentially save your life.