Phê Vé
April 27, 2026 • 3 min read
Despite the aviation industry’s high safety standards, road risks are often underestimated. Let’s explore the reasons behind this perception and how we can shift our mindset.
Comparing Aviation and Road Fatalities
When Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 tragically crashed in 2019, claiming the lives of all 149 passengers and 8 crew members, the global response was swift: the Boeing 737 MAX was grounded worldwide. In contrast, in the U.S., the number of fatalities from traffic accidents on highways reached 157 in just 24 days, yet this alarming statistic barely made headlines. What does this say about our risk assessment?
Why We Fear Flying
A New York Times article by Craig Fuller highlights that road transport, particularly trucking, is responsible for thousands of deaths each year on American roads. Approximately 5,000 people die annually in incidents involving large trucks, a figure that continues to rise. Yet, this reality seems to escape public attention. Have you ever feared being struck by a truck on the highway? Personally, I never give it a second thought.
Flawed Risk Assessment
Aviation is still considered extremely safe today. The commercial airline industry has achieved levels of safety that were once unimaginable. However, even minor incidents become major news stories. Most catastrophic accidents leave a lasting impact, shaping public perception for years. Meanwhile, thousands continue to die on highways each year, often due to preventable accidents caused by fatigue, inadequate training, or policies prioritizing performance over safety.
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The Driving Industry's Motivation
The road transport sector is built on efficiency. Drivers are often paid by the mile rather than by the hour, creating pressure that can compromise safety over time. In contrast, the aviation industry is grounded in precaution and risk mitigation. Pilots are not incentivized to cut corners on safety procedures (at least, I hope that’s the case!). Airlines do not benefit from reducing flight times at the expense of safety.
Our Common Fears
We fear flying because it gives us a sense of losing control. Conversely, driving feels familiar and within our control. However, the statistics tell a different story. The risks we accept daily on the road far exceed the fears we harbor about flying. If we don’t start to assess risks more reasonably, we will continue to overreact to rare events and underreact to the more common issues.
Conclusion
The biggest risks are often those we normalize. In aviation, we are obsessed with safety and demand perfection. However, in other transport sectors, we may be accepting far too many unnecessary risks. Humanity, in general, is not great at assessing risk, and until that changes, we will continue to fear the wrong things.
Article referenced and edited from: Live and Let's Fly
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