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In the absence of a flair system on lemmy yet, let’s try to make it easier to scan through posts by type in here by using tags:
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/51281013
Pretty sure this is a purposeful misunderstanding of why people think public transit is more dangerous than driving.
It had nothing to do with vehicle or crash safety.
When driving my own car, the likelihood of getting stabbed by a crackhead wanting my wallet is basically zero.
Even if the public transit events are rare, I find it hard to believe that road rage that actually goes all the way to violence (versus just aggressive driving and talk) is more common still.
Which means that not only did you not read the article, you didn't even read the excerpt displayed on this page.
No, I did.
Ignoring deaths, because that's related to accidents, not the violence I'm referencing...
For the transit stats they are comparing Assault, Robbery, Homicide, and "Other Crimes"(which it says includes arson, bombing, and burglary), that are considered "reportable" by the USDOT.
For the vehicle stats they are using only Motor Vehicle Theft and Road Rage involving Guns. It does mention that other things like vandalism, assault during traffic stops, and road rage not involving guns exist... but they don't have data. HOWEVER it does not specify if it is Motor Vehicle Theft in general or if it is involving a person in the vehicle, like a carjacking. Given the number cited is over 1 million, they almost certainly are just talking about car theft in general, which is a ludicrous statistic to compare here when talking about "safety". Your car being stolen overnight from your parking spot or while you're at a movie isn't a "safety" issue. That is nothing like having a gun pulled on you from road rage or being robbed at knife point on a bus or subway, but that's the bulk of the numbers they seem to be using for the vehicle statistics.
Sure, if you ignore the things that make cars more dangerous, then public transit will look more dangerous.
Most people don't think of accidents when they're comparing "safety" of cars versus transit. They're not even considering getting in an accident on transit at all, they're thinking of theft and violence. So when comparing what people think of safety, ignoring the parts they don't consider makes sense when you are talking about the difference in how people perceive safety differences between the two.
Yes, I understand that. All you're saying is that people's perceptions of safety don't match the reality of safety.
Why?
If a tired worker who just pulled a double shift at McDonald's is arguing with her husband on the hands free and T-bones you, you're just as dead as if a crackhead stabs you for looking at them funny. And the former is way likelier. You should be more afraid of the tired and distracted fry cook.
P sure anyone who's had their head cracked open or legs squished in a car crash would prefer the stabbing.
Pulled a guy from a wreck a couple weeks ago, I think he lived, but god damn.
Personally I'd assume the opposite, but maybe that's my European perspective coming out
In the US, homeless people and drug addicts tend to congregate around public transportation stations and hubs. This contributes to crime in those locations.
Bingo, never been harassed with violence for change in my car.
I totally have. You're stuck in traffic, someone comes up washes your windshield and demands money. I felt way less safe than being on a train car that happened to have a tweaker or homeless person minding their own business.
Since moving to NYC and taking mostly trains and buses I haven't had anything like that happen and I've been back for 5+ years at this point.