Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers | February 13, 2026 | Car Accidents
Many people feel nervous about flying, even though they get into a car almost every day without a second thought. Turbulence, takeoff, and news coverage of rare plane crashes can make air travel feel risky. Yet when we look at the data, the question of whether flying is safer than driving becomes clearer: The short answer, based on decades of safety statistics, is yes.
Understanding why flying is statistically safer than driving can help travelers make informed decisions. It can also provide useful context when thinking about accident risk in everyday life. The difference comes down to how often accidents happen, how regulated each mode of transportation is, and what typically causes serious injuries.
How Safety Is Measured
Transportation safety is usually measured by the number of deaths or serious injuries per mile traveled. This matters because people drive far more miles than they fly. A single road trip may involve hundreds of miles behind the wheel, while most people only fly a few times a year.
Researchers also look at accident rates per trip, per hour of travel, and per passenger mile. Across all these measures, commercial aviation consistently ranks among the safest ways to travel. Driving, by contrast, involves much higher exposure to everyday risks.
What The Numbers Say About Flying
Commercial aviation in the United States is tightly regulated and closely monitored. Based on U.S. aviation accident data investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and summarized by federal aviation authorities, fatal crashes involving commercial airlines are extremely rare compared to other modes of transportation. Millions of passengers fly every year without incident.
Several factors contribute to aviation safety:
- Extensive pilot training and recurrent testing
- Strict aircraft maintenance and inspection standards
- Real-time monitoring by air traffic control systems
- Built-in redundancy for critical aircraft systems
Even when aviation incidents occur, they are often non-fatal. Many involve mechanical issues or weather-related diversions rather than crashes. As a result, the risk of dying in a commercial airplane accident remains very low.
What The Numbers Say About Driving
Driving is far more common, which also makes it far more dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports tens of thousands of traffic deaths each year in the United States. Car crashes remain a leading cause of accidental death.
Common contributors to serious car accidents include:
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Distracted driving, including phone use
- Alcohol or drug impairment
- Driver fatigue
- Poor road or weather conditions
Because people drive so often, the cumulative risk adds up over time. Even safe drivers cannot fully control others’ actions on the road. This makes everyday driving statistically more dangerous than flying.
Why Flying Feels More Dangerous
If flying is safer, why does it feel scarier to so many people? One reason is a lack of control. Passengers do not pilot the plane, which can increase anxiety. In a car, drivers feel more in charge, even if the risk is higher.
Media coverage also plays a role. Plane crashes are rare but dramatic, so they receive intense attention. Car crashes happen daily and usually make only local news. This difference can distort how people perceive risk.
Another factor is familiarity. Most adults learn to drive at a young age and do it regularly. Flying is less routine, which can make it feel unfamiliar and threatening, even when the data says otherwise.
Contact a Clermont Car Accident Lawyer at Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
While flying may be statistically safer than driving, most of us spend far more time on the road than in the air. Unfortunately, that increased exposure means a greater risk of serious injury in a car accident. When another driver’s negligence causes harm, the consequences can be overwhelming—physically, emotionally, and financially.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. The experienced team at Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers is here to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact a Clermont car accident lawyer today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you move forward with confidence.
We proudly serve Fort Lauderdale, Clermont, and surrounding areas throughout Florida.
Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
633 S Andrews Ave Ste 401, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 361-3997
Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
1655 E Hwy 50 ste 316, Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 773-3866
