Cars — while convenient — aren’t exempt from catastrophic accidents. An analysis from the National Safety Council found that 4.8 million people suffered severe injuries in car crashes in 2020.
Some people opt for public transportation to avoid the risks of driving, which begs the question of whether public transportation is safer than driving your own car.
A closer look at the facts
Riding public transportation reduces fatal car accidents and other dangers because:
-It decreases the number of cars on the road. Since buses and subways hold several passengers at a time, that’s fewer cars around a town or city.
-Bus and subway drivers have to be alert and well-rested as part of their job. Therefore, passengers do not need to fret about a driver being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Plus, if someone happens to be under the influence themselves, they can take a bus or subway home instead of endangering others or themselves.
-Public transportation is an excellent alternative for people who struggle with driving. It’s a win-win since those lacking good driving skills don’t have to worry about accidentally hurting someone, and others don’t have to get injured due to someone else’s inexperience or incompetence.
As you see, these are a few reasons why public transportation is safer than driving. According to the APTA (American Public Transportation Association), an individual can lower their chance of being in an accident by 90 percent when taking a train or bus. That said, severe injuries like limb fractures and spinal cord injuries can and do occur on public transportation.
Have you or a loved one suffered from a catastrophic accident while riding a bus or subway? If so, reach out to legal assistance to learn if you qualify for severe injury compensation.