When it comes to choosing the safest mode of transportation, the numbers don’t lie—air travel is significantly safer than road travel. Despite the occasional news of airplane accidents, data over the past two decades shows that flying is far less dangerous than driving a car.
Read more about our study of these modes of transportation, which highlights key statistics and gives a clearer picture of why taking a plane is far safer than driving.
Air Travel: The Safer Option
Air travel has a near–zero injury rate. In 2022, the injury rate for U.S. airline passengers was consistently low, at just 0.007 per 100 million miles.
rom 2002 to 2022, the total number of serious injuries was 689, averaging only 33 per year. That’s a stark contrast to the staggering number of injuries on U.S. highways, which totaled 48 million in that same stretch.
The fatality rate for air travel is similarly impressive. In 2022, it was just 0.003 deaths per 100 million miles, making it one of the safest modes of transportation. From 2002 to 2022, there were only 796 passenger fatalities, which is a remarkably small number compared to road travel.
It’s worth noting that most air travel fatalities (around 73%) are from on-demand air taxis, which are smaller aircraft with fewer than 10 seats. In comparison, scheduled commercial flights account for just 27% of these fatalities, which emphasizes the superior safety record of mainstream commercial airlines.
Road Travel: a Hazardous Reality
The statistics on road travel tell a much more concerning story. From 2002 to 2022, 48 million injuries were reported in passenger vehicle accidents on U.S. highways, an average of 2.3 million injuries per year.
Furthermore, 552,009 people lost their lives in passenger vehicle accidents during the same period—an average of 26,286 fatalities per year. The fatality rate for cars and trucks in 2022 was 0.57 deaths per 100 million miles, which is 190 times higher than the fatality rate for air travel. When comparing these numbers it’s clear that driving is far riskier than flying.
Other Options on the Road
When it comes to traveling by road, motorcycles are significantly more dangerous than passenger vehicles. The fatality rate for motorcycles in 2022 was 25.5 deaths per 100 million miles, a rate 8500 times higher than that for air travel and 45 times higher than cars and trucks. These figures highlight the importance of safety gear and caution when riding motorcycles.
Public transit options, though not without their own risks, are generally safer than traveling by car. In 2023, 8,030 injuries and 26 fatalities were associated with public transit. Most of these injuries occurred on buses, which accounted for 89% of the injuries and 38% of the fatalities.
By comparison, passenger railroads reported only 625 injuries and 1 fatality that same year. While public transit certainly has its own safety concerns, it’s still a far safer alternative to the daily dangers of driving.
Why do Plane Crashes Get More Attention Than Road Accidents?
Despite the overwhelming safety of air travel, airplane crashes tend to receive much more media attention than road accidents. In fact, over 100 people die on U.S. highways every day due to car accidents, yet most of these deaths don’t make national headlines.
On the other hand, though rare, airplane crashes dominate the news cycle, skewing public perception and making people more fearful of flying than they should be.
The main reason for this is the number of people involved in a single accident. While most car accidents involve just a few people, commercial plane accidents typically involve dozens to hundreds of passengers.
The Economic Impact of Road Accidents
In addition to the human cost, road accidents also have a significant economic impact. Traffic accidents in the U.S. cost the economy an estimated $871 billion annually.
The costs associated with road travel—medical expenses, lost productivity, legal costs, and property damage—are staggering compared to the relatively low costs of air travel safety.
Investing in safer roads and better driving habits can have a profound impact on reducing these costs and saving lives.
Key Statistics Showing How Flying Is Far Safer Than Driving a Car
Reviewing US Transportation Department data collected between 2002 and 2022 highlights the safety of airplanes over cars in the United States.
Airplanes accounted for:
- 689 serious injuries between 2002-2022 (approximately 33 per year)
- 796 passenger fatalities between 2002-2022 (approximately 38 per year)
- A passenger injury rate of 0.007 per 100 million miles in 2022
- A passenger fatality rate of 0.003 deaths per 100 million miles in 2022
Passenger vehicles accounted for:
- 48 million total injuries between 2002-2022 (approximately 2.3 million per year)
- 552,009 passenger fatalities between 2002-2022 (approximately 26,286 per year)
- A passenger injury rate of 42 per 100 million miles in 2022
- A passenger fatality rate of 0.57 deaths per 100 million miles in 2022
The Safer Choice Is Clear
The data clearly shows that air travel is far safer than road travel. With significantly lower injury and fatality rates, air travel provides peace of mind to passengers, particularly when compared to the risks of driving on highways or riding motorcycles.
As you make your next travel plans, remember that flying isn’t just convenient—it’s the safer, smarter choice.
If injured in a car accident, an experienced New Orleans car accident lawyer can help.