Technology has made every mode of transportation safer, but one report of a horrific accident can have you rethinking your travel plans. What is the safest way to get from point A to point B?
Not that long ago, plane travel was a special experience. Planes provided passengers with a relaxed, comfortable space where they were served food and drinks by smiling and attentive flight attendants. Today, that type of service and comfort seems reserved only for first-class customers.
While the experience of flying may not be what it once was, statistics show that flying is still a safe way to travel. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization, fatalities from aircraft accidents dropped over 65% between 2020 and 2022.
Driving vs. Flying
When you compare the statistics side-by-side, there’s no denying that flying is safer than driving. The National Safety Council reports that the number of civil aviation deaths in 2023 totaled 327. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 40,901 people died in traffic crashes in the U.S. during the same year.
Traffic accidents include not only car accidents but also motorcycle accidents, commercial truck crashes, and accidents that involve pedestrians. Though some people argue that traffic accidents are more “survivable” than plane accidents, the sheer number of deaths disproves the notion that driving is safer.
Reasons Why Flying Is Safer Than Driving
You may remember studying hard to pass your driver’s test or being nervous to take the driving exam with someone evaluating your every move. For most U.S. citizens, that initial test around age 16 is the only one that’s required to keep a driver’s license for a lifetime.
Pilots undergo intensive training that includes hours of theoretical exams before they even begin flight training. The entire process is far more challenging than the process of getting a driver’s license — and it should be. A commercial pilot is responsible for the safety of potentially thousands of passengers a day.
While drivers train and test for the type of vehicle they wish to drive, such as a commercial truck, pilots must build their experience by levels. A pilot starts by learning how to fly a single-engine aircraft before advancing to a multi-engine and then jet aircraft. Pilots are better trained to operate their “vehicles” than drivers are trained to operate a car.
In addition, pilots receive a constant flow of accurate data from onboard navigational equipment that helps them track safety issues in real-time. If something does go wrong, a pilot has a team of professionals in the cockpit and on the ground to help.
Advanced technologies ensure that every plane is tracked and monitored from the moment it takes flight until it lands. This means a pilot is never alone. In addition, airplanes don’t encounter traffic the same way cars do on the road.
The skies can get crowded with flights, and if you’ve ever seen a flight tracking app, it may seem as though plane traffic reaches bumper-to-bumper levels, but air traffic controllers ensure that planes never come too close together. Every aircraft has technology that communicates with other aircraft to avoid a collision.
Pilots must also review emergency procedures often to maintain their licenses. All of these factors combine to create a mode of transportation that is safe and reliable despite occasional inconveniences.
Stay Safe On Land and in the Sky
Whether you’re traveling in a car or on a plane, you can increase your safety level by following all safety mandates, such as wearing your seat belt. If you have the option, flying to your destination is the safest way to travel. However, you can increase road safety and avoid accidents by obeying traffic laws and paying attention to your surroundings.
Contact the Chicago Car Accident Law Firm of Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for Help Today
If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident in Chicago, Illinois, you could have a legal claim. However, you don’t want to trust your claim to any personal injury lawyer. You want a Chicago attorney with a proven track record of success in car accident cases.
For more information, please contact the experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today. We offer free consultations.
We proudly serve Cook County, Will County, Kendall County, and its surrounding areas:
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Chicago Office
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Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Joliet Office
195 Springfield Ave, Joliet, IL 60435
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