The safest modes of transportation
While we absolutely love talking about the most dangerous roads to drive through in the world, we are also aware that not everyone is into that kind of adrenaline - some would rather opt for the safest ways to travel possible.
If you were ever wondering which mode of transport causes the least and most accidents, well, keep on reading because you are in for some unexpected surprises!
Aeroplanes
Yep, you are reading this correctly. Differently from what most people believe, aeroplanes are actually the safest mode of transport out there. Whether it’s a commercial plane or a private jet, air traffic accounted for 176 deaths last year. Given that around 40 million flights are completed globally per year, this number is surprisingly low. So, next time you are getting anxious about your flight, just remember that you are in the safest transportation vehicle you could possibly be!
Buses
The second safest mode of transport are buses. This is generally associated with the fact that buses are driven by professional and experienced drivers, they are also driving significantly slower and more predictably. Some studies claim that buses are over 10 times safer than privately owned cars, although they still produce significantly more deaths compared to planes each year.
Trains
Up next, trains are your next safest bet after aeroplanes and buses. Although they are coming at the third spot in this list, trains are generally considered to be one of the safest modes of transportation due to various reasons - there are no unexpected turns or shifts, no other vehicles coming unexpectedly and so on. A total of 1331 railway accidents caused 687 deaths in the EU in 2020, proving that even significant accidents are not necessarily fatal in trains. This number is also improving every year, together with the technological developments in the industry.
Boats
When we think about boat accidents, our minds immediately go to the tragic story of the Titanic in 1912. However, the majority of deaths caused by boating accidents actually occur in registered recreational vehicles. That’s around 6.5 deaths per 100,000 boats that are either privately owned, rented, hired or otherwise used for non-commercial purposes. When it comes to big ships, such as cruises, accidents are much more rare, so you are almost guaranteed to hear about them in the news.. Some research studies even claim that large vessels alone are safer than aeroplanes. Knowing where to buy boat materials makes it easy to add space to your boat with hundreds of storage boxes to choose from. Knowing how to respond in the event of an emergency is also crucial - if you are involved in a boating accident, what is the first thing you must do? How can you signal for help? These are all important things to know before embarking on a boat trip.
Cars
Unfortunately, cars have made this list as the second most dangerous mode of transportations. The fatality rates from automobile accidents are around 1.53 deaths per 10,000 vehicles. While the numbers have improved by an incredible 95% since 1923, they are devastating nonetheless. The leading reasons for fatal car accidents include speeding on the roads, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, careless and distracted driving or poor weather conditions.
Motorcycles
Lastly and perhaps the least shockingly, motorcycles are the least safe way to travel. According to a study in the US, this mode of transportation is responsible for around 67 deaths per 100,000 registered vehicles. The injury rates are highly concerning too, with nearly 1000 injuries per 100,000 registered vehicles every year. Unfortunately, the situation is even worse in countries where motorcycles are the most popular transportation method, such as India or Vietnam.
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