Collecting air miles? Going on a road trip? Taking the Amtrak for a sight-seeing tour of the United States? Condor Ferries reveals that Americans took 2.25 billion domestic trips in 2022, as people get out and see the world for leisure, family, and business.
But what is the safest mode of transportation? With more people on the move than at any other point in American history, everyone wants to keep their families safe. And with 42,514 lives lost alone on America’s roads in 2022, based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation, it’s clear that travel is fraught with danger.
In this guide, we’ve investigated the statistics to determine which mode of transportation is safest in 2025.
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable, and those involved in accidents often require the expertise of an Austin motorcycle accident lawyer.
Key Takeaways
- The safest mode of transportation in the U.S. is air travel, with 17 of the past 25 years resulting in zero fatalities.
- The most dangerous form of transportation is automobile travel, with over 40,000 fatalities and millions of injuries every year. Motorcycles are even more dangerous, making up 14% of all road fatalities in serious accidents.
- Over the past few decades, tighter regulation and next-generation technology have improved the safety of all modes of travel.
- All accident victims have the legal right to file a lawsuit and claim compensation if they’re injured in a crash that wasn’t their fault.
- Speak to an attorney to learn more about your next steps for taking legal action against at-fault parties.
What is the Safest Mode of Travel Statistically?
The safest mode of travel is air travel, and it’s not even close. According to USAFacts, the rate of injury and death among air travelers has been nearly zero per 100 million miles since 2002. Despite these low injury and death rates, aviation accidents have plunged since the turn of the millennium.
In short, it amounts to 0.003 deaths per 100 million miles traveled. Yet if we look at statistics for automobile travel from the IIHS, the death rate in 2022 was 1.33 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.
What is the Riskiest Mode of Transportation Statistically?
Traveling by road is the riskiest option. Motorcycles are the most dangerous mode of transportation, with Michigan’s Thumb reporting that motorcyclists were 22 times more likely to die than passenger vehicle occupants. The National Safety Council also found that although 14% of all road deaths were attributed to motorcyclists, they made up just 3% of all registered vehicles.
Automobiles are the second most dangerous form of transportation, with Reuters reporting nearly 43,000 deaths in 2021. Unfortunately, this represents the highest number since 2005, as the nation’s roads deal with more vehicles than ever.
Understanding Transportation Safety Ratings
Transportation safety ratings inform policymakers, insurers, and the public about the risks of different modes of transportation. No single universal ratings agency exists for transportation. Instead, a mixture of government agencies and other groups use a variety of data, including accident data, fatality rates, and risk factors.
Examples of bodies that may contribute figures to determine safety ratings include:
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- The Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)
- International Air Transport Association (IATA)
Together, policymakers examine the figures coming out of these organizations and drill down into the numbers to determine the safest and riskiest modes of transportation. Every methodology differs but usually involves accident data, injuries/deaths, risk exposure, miles traveled, and more.
Every Traffic Method Broken Down: Updated for 2025
Breaking down each traffic method sheds light on how each mode of transportation compares. It’s clear that commercial air travel and maritime travel are by far the safest options, with motorcycles being by far the most dangerous option.
Data has been derived from various sources, including the National Safety Council, IIHS, and Northwestern University.
| Mode of Transport | Probability of Crash | Probability of Fatal Crash | Safety Rating (Out of 5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Planes | Extremely Low | 0.003 deaths per 100 million passenger miles | 5.0 |
| Buses | Low | 0.11 deaths per 100 million passenger miles | 4.5 |
| Trains | Low | 0.43 deaths per 100 million passenger miles | 4.5 |
| Automobiles | Moderate | 1.11 deaths per 100 million passenger miles | 3.0 |
| Motorcycles | High | 24.33 deaths per 100 million passenger miles | 1.0 |
| Maritime (Commercial Vessels) | Very Low | Approximately 0.30 deaths per 100 million passenger miles | 4.5 |
Air Travel: The Pinnacle of Safety
Air travel is the gold standard for transportation safety. Advanced technology, refined safety procedures, and a commitment to continuous improvement from the industry are the three factors responsible for making public and private planes the safest form of transport in human history.
Although previous incidents have shaken public confidence, it’s still vital to mention that air accidents are so rare that they always make the news. In contrast, a passenger car crash may not even make the local news, let alone the international airwaves.
Safety Records of Airlines
Commercial airline safety records in the U.S. are among the highest in the world. Since 2000, the skies have become increasingly safer under the stewardship of certified aircraft dispatchers, despite recent near misses and several runway incidents in late 2024 and early 2025.
According to a Financial Times analysis of the aviation industry’s safety record, out of the last 25 years, the U.S. has seen 17 years of zero fatalities, including onboard fatalities. With that in mind, it’s impossible to argue that the industry’s tight regulation and robust government oversight hasn’t had an enormous impact.
However, 2025 has been an outlier. That’s why victims of air accidents should contact an aviation lawyer to ensure they’re adequately compensated for damages sustained.
The Role of Technology in Airline Safety
Technology has played a massive part in keeping everybody safe as they jet around the country. The aviation industry has been one of the fastest adopters of new technologies as they emerge, making U.S. airlines among the safest in the world.
Some of the technologies that the FAA has introduced include:
- AI Air Traffic Control – Air traffic controllers are integrating AI to analyze safety data, optimize flight paths, and anticipate potential hazards. This is on top of existing aircraft dispatcher training.
- Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) – Since 2020, the ADS-B system has been in force. It’s an enhancement of real-time aircraft tracking, helping to reduce the risk of mid-air collisions.
- NextGen Air Traffic System – The FAA is gradually replacing radar navigation with satellite tracking to improve traffic flow and reduce delays without compromising safety.
- Remote/Virtual Towers – Smaller airports have received additional coverage through virtual and remote air traffic control towers to manage airport traffic remotely and improve safety across the country.
Train Travel: An Underappreciated Option
Train travel used to be a staple of the nation’s transport system, but it’s fallen by the wayside as air travel offers greater coverage and lower costs for travelers. In many ways, Amtrak has been relegated to more of a luxury option for long-distance travel, with light rail only being available in limited areas. Yet train travel remains the second safest form of land and air travel.
Comparative Safety of Trains vs. Cars
Trains are considerably safer than traveling by car. According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), there were 893 fatalities on the railways in 2022. However, the majority of these fatalities involved trespassers and incidents at crossings.
In contrast, there were nearly 43,000 deaths on the roads in 2022, with millions of non-fatal injuries sustained. It’s no contest which is safer, but it’s also vital to remember that far fewer Americans travel by train than by car. For example, did you know that just 14 long-distance lines cover the entire country?
Infrastructure and Regulation Impacting Train Safety
Tight regulation and a well-maintained rail infrastructure are responsible for maintaining high railway safety standards. One landmark piece of legislation was the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which brought about Positive Train Control (PTC).
The advanced PTC system incorporates automation into train movements, cutting down the number of train accidents and derailments. Although it took some time, every railway in the country finally received the PTC system in 2020.
Continuing action from the FRA follows the model of the FAA for air travel, ensuring that Americans can have confidence in the safety of the railways.
Accident Statistics and Safety Measures for Buses
Whether traveling to work, sitting on school buses, or taking a long-distance Greyhound, buses are remarkably safe compared to other forms of road transport. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported just 156 fatalities in 2020, with 13,000 injuries in bus accidents in the same year.
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) agency regulates how buses are designed and constructed to ensure safety. These ensure that buses involved in collisions minimize the damage caused to all.
For example, the S-1 Gard device has been instrumental in reducing serious injuries among pedestrians by automatically deflecting them when they come into contact with the rear wheels. Some local bus companies, including the SEPTA network in Philadelphia, have also introduced bullet-resistant enclosures to protect bus travel operators.
Maritime Travel: Safety at Sea
Maritime travel is the rarest form of transportation you’re likely to take, but when maritime crashes do happen, they’re often severe. Thankfully, instances involving large passenger boats are relatively rare.
The last significant maritime accident in the U.S. was the sinking of the MV Conception in California in 2019, which resulted in 34 deaths. However, recreational boating tends to be more hazardous, with the U.S. Coast Guard reporting 5,265 accidents in 2020, including 3,191 injuries and 5,265 deaths.
The disparity between the two is highlighted by the fact that recreational boating has fewer regulations and significantly less enforcement. For example, the Coast Guard found 18% of deaths in recreational boating accidents were attributed to alcohol use.
Factors Affecting Boat Safety
Boat safety relies on several factors to maintain passenger safety, including enforcing operator behavior, regular maintenance, and anticipating and negotiating navigation hazards and environmental conditions.
Issues like operator inattention, a lack of experience, and alcohol consumption are among the leading causes of accidents at sea. Likewise, a lack of maintenance could lead to mechanical failures, resulting in life-threatening emergencies.
However, many of these factors can’t be avoided. For example, strong currents, poor visibility, and underwater obstacles may be difficult to detect and deal with in time.
Safety Protocols for Passenger Vessels
The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for enforcing safety standards for commercial vessels, including ensuring that relevant certifications are valid and conducting regular inspections to check that vessels are seaworthy.
Operators within the commercial industry, whether that’s cruise or cargo, are mandated to adhere to strict crew training standards. Enforcement guarantees that crew members are equipped to avoid and deal with emergencies to preserve human life.
The maritime industry has also introduced standardized Safety Management Systems (SMS) to offer a structured approach to establishing safety protocols, emergency plans, and a culture of health and safety.
Automobile Travel: Road Safety Statistics
Automobile travel is the least safe option for travel. It should come as no surprise because there are so many vehicles on the road and America’s infrastructure is becoming increasingly strained. Although 2023 saw a year-on-year decrease in fatalities by 3.6%, there has been little improvement in making the roads safer over the last decade, per NHTSA crash statistics.
Currently, the fatality rate for automobile travel is 1.26 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles in 2023. Again, it’s a decrease but not a significant one. If we compare the statistics, you’re 750 times more likely to die per mile traveled than if you flew by commercial airplane.
Comparing Vehicle Safety Ratings
Vehicle safety ratings are an enormous factor in helping consumers decide which vehicle is right for their family. The purpose of vehicle safety ratings is to compare crashworthiness and how effective each model’s built-in safety features are.
The brand-new NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) is designed to provide a standardized methodology of evaluating vehicles based on their safety features and official crash tests. Additionally, all 2026 models will have features like blind spot warnings and automatic emergency braking integrated into the five-star scale.
Independent organizations also have their own vehicle safety ratings. For example, the IIHS is an independent body that conducts crash tests themselves. They then award ratings based on how effective vehicles protect passengers and prevent collisions.
Importance of Defensive Driving and Awareness
Automobile safety ultimately falls to the operator of the vehicle. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as many as one in six crashes involve a distracted driver, not to mention the number of motor vehicle accidents involving drivers who’re under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Defensive driving is a proactive approach to anticipating hazards and avoiding them to prevent coming into contact with other road users. Examples of good defensive driving strategies include:
- Keeping your eyes on the road.
- Maintaining a safe following distance.
- Watching other drivers to see what they’re doing.
In other words, it’s about getting out of the habit of reacting to what’s happening around you and taking back control. Defensive driving is a proven way of reducing crash rates and making the roads safer for everybody.
Motorcycle Travel: The Most Dangerous Way to Travel
Motorcycle travel is the most dangerous mode of travel in the country. The lack of natural protection and drivers frequently not looking out for motorcycles means that crashes and deaths are far too common.
If we compare statistics from air travel with motorcycle travel, we find that motorcycle travel is 3,737 times more dangerous than air travel per mile traveled. Sadly, the situation isn’t improving, with the National Safety Council reporting a 32% increase in the number of motorcycle deaths over the last decade.
Although many motorcyclists love the freedom of this mode of transportation, there’s no escaping from the fact that it’s the most dangerous option.
Safety Gear and Its Impact on Motorcycle Safety
All road safety experts recommend that motorcyclists wear full safety gear while riding, including helmets and other protective gear, like jackets, pants, boots, and gloves. Despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, no universal helmet laws have been introduced.
According to AP News, if universal helmet laws were implemented, motorcycle deaths would be cut by as much as 10% per year. Additionally, the IIHS estimates that between 1976 and 2022, mandatory helmet laws could have saved 22,058 lives.
Even with this evidence, only around half of all states have universal helmet laws, with no state requiring other forms of protective gear. Even in states that mandate helmets in some cases, these are confined exclusively to young riders, with laws not applying to older ones.
Urban vs. Rural Riding Risks
Motorcyclists face danger wherever they are, but the nature of risk changes based on whether you’re riding in urban or rural areas. All motorcycle riders must be aware of the substantial risks they face based on the type of road they’re riding on.
Here’s a rundown of the most common risks in each area:
- Urban Roads – Higher traffic density, complicated intersections, driver road rage, and a higher chance of encountering intoxicated road users.
- Rural Roads – Rural roads may not have the same traffic problems, but speed limits tend to be higher, encouraging riders to go faster. A lack of enforcement also makes rural roads a hotspot for speeding and other dangerous driving practices. Furthermore, when motorcycle accidents happen, greater distances mean riders face significantly longer response times when calling 911.
When Should You Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Transportation Accident?
You have a right to claim compensation if you were injured by the negligence of someone else. It’s your legal right to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party, whether you were on a train or driving your own car. Personal injury lawyers are instrumental in these cases and the best time to contact one is as soon as possible.
Generally, you always want to reach out to an attorney if you encounter any of the following:
- Serious Injuries – If you’ve sustained significant injuries that require medical attention, it’s time to call a lawyer. An experienced attorney will figure out the full extent of your injuries and pursue the maximum amount of compensation.
- Disputed Liability – Cases with disputed liability are naturally more complex. The other side will have a legal team, so you should too. When fault is contested, your lawyer will investigate and build the strongest possible case.
- Stubborn Insurers – Insurers are there to protect their bottom lines. They’re not interested in you, so they’ll do everything possible to minimize any potential payout. Attorneys know these bad-faith tactics and will do everything in their power to put a stop to it and protect your settlement.
Ultimately, the best time to call is soon after your accident. Every state has a statute of limitations on personal injury cases. If you don’t file your claim formally before this limit elapses, you lose the right to claim any financial compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Transportation-Related Injury Case?
Deciding who’s responsible for your accident is crucial for holding others to account. The average person may be unaware that multiple parties are responsible for their accident, which means they’re leaving valuable compensation on the table for their injuries.
Most people would assume that the vehicle operator is solely responsible for a transportation accident, but that’s not the case. Although operators are responsible in the majority of cases, other liable parties may include:
- Employers
- Manufacturers
- Maintenance companies
- Third-party contractors
- Government entities
Identifying liable parties isn’t always the most straightforward endeavor, which is another reason to hire a lawyer. If you’ve been hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s time to get help. Contact DJC Law for your free consultation and get the justice you deserve today.
