Results: Despite media reports to the contrary, the world is a much safer and more survivable place today than it was 50 years ago. This survey #3 is about some of the changes that have improved our lives and those of our fellow earthlings.
Today's subject is transportation and some of the improvements that have taken place in my lifetime that have made travel much safer.
1.
1.
Passenger vehicles are by far the most dangerous motorized transportation option compared. Over the last 10 years, passenger vehicle death rate per 100,000,000 passenger miles was over 50 times higher than for buses, 17 times higher than for passenger trains, and 1,000 times higher than for scheduled airlines. Even with this high death rate, passenger vehicles are still much safer than they were 50 years ago. Here are a few of the key improvements that have been made. Which of these do you most appreciate having on a vehicle?
Seat belts.
63%
•
1321 votes
Air bags
53%
•
1115 votes
Anti lock brakes
46%
•
975 votes
Safety glass
48%
•
1001 votes
Side door impact beams
33%
•
688 votes
More powerful headlights
32%
•
681 votes
A dash with no sharp edges, buttons or dials.
32%
•
665 votes
Steel safety cage bodywork.
31%
•
651 votes
Engine mounts that divert the engine away from the passenger compartment in a crash.
34%
•
705 votes
More responsive and accurate steering.
38%
•
806 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
•
21 votes
Not Applicable
15%
•
321 votes
- anti lock brakes
- I never had an accident.
- anti-lock brakes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.07% | 6 | |
| all of the above | 0.02% | 2 |
| padded head rests | 0.01% | 1 |
| all of the above. | 0.01% | 1 |
| Only for the rrich and famous | 0.01% | 1 |
| how abt. all "all of the above" option? | 0.01% | 1 |
| D.R.L. | 0.01% | 1 |
| Ejection seat and smoke screen | 0.01% | 1 |
| Accident avoidance system | 0.01% | 1 |
| Whiplash preventing head cushions | 0.01% | 1 |
| Goofy notion | 0.01% | 1 |
| Better tires and their alignment. | 0.01% | 1 |
| Back Up camera | 0.01% | 1 |
| cruse control | 0.01% | 1 |
| all! | 0.01% | 1 |
2.
2.
Cars have improved over the years and buses remain safer than cars but when it comes to safety improvements in buses I couldn't think of any and my research didn't find any either except perhaps anti-lock brakes. Considering the push by governments to get us to use public transit more, I would expect it to be made safer. Can you think of any safety improvements you would like to see. (details in comments please)?
Yes
17%
•
363 votes
No
35%
•
745 votes
Undecided
25%
•
525 votes
Not Applicable
22%
•
467 votes
- I like buses.
- School buses need seat belts
- only reason safer is they don't go on hwy.
3.
3.
Another area where there is even more need to improve passenger safety is the train service in North America. I have taken the train between Toronto and Montreal many times and it is quite different than say a trip from Edinburgh to London. Most of the improvements needed are (I think) quite obvious and the main or only reason they have not been implemented is the rail companies don't want to spend the money. Here are some concerns I have. Which ones would you agree with (and feel free to add some of your own)?
Tracks are designed for freight trains, not passenger trains and are less well maintained.
27%
•
568 votes
Barriers at level crossings are ineffective and collisions between vehicles and trains happen too often
30%
•
626 votes
The design of level crossings causes transport trucks to get stuck on the tracks with dangerous consequences.
21%
•
442 votes
Access to railway lines by the general public (including vandals and terrorists) is much too easy.
25%
•
516 votes
Rolling stock is old, heavy and out dated, with signalling systems to match. They can't handle the high speeds trains in Europe, China and Japan achieve.
22%
•
466 votes
Surveillance of areas of access to railway tracks is inadequate.
26%
•
544 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
•
25 votes
Not Applicable
37%
•
787 votes
- 6 hour delay was stressful
- My last train trip was both enjoyable and stress-free.
- I've taken trains in Japan, France, and Russia, but never in a North American country.
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.25% | 8 | |
| trains need to switch from diesel to electric so the air is less polluted. | 0.03% | 1 |
| We need bullet trains | 0.03% | 1 |
| In Canada, small routes are discontinued, and no bus service picks up in smaller places, you have to drive somewhere | 0.03% | 1 |
| no concerns | 0.03% | 1 |
| All of them | 0.03% | 1 |
| Driver Error | 0.03% | 1 |
| Use redlight camera technology to enforce barrier violators driving around when lowered | 0.03% | 1 |
| all of the above | 0.03% | 1 |
| You need to listen to trains in areas | 0.03% | 1 |
| not sure | 0.03% | 1 |
| People obeying the downed arms! | 0.03% | 1 |
| Bullit trains in Japan are the best | 0.03% | 1 |
| no comment | 0.03% | 1 |
| all | 0.03% | 1 |
| Crssoing gates that cannot be passed when down | 0.03% | 1 |
| Orwellian surveillance is never good | 0.03% | 1 |
| aisles are so small | 0.03% | 1 |
4.
4.
By far the safest mode of transportation is by passenger plane. Engines are much more powerful and reliable. Automation of many functions prevent pilots from making mistakes while leaving the pilot in overall control. Weather is monitored better as are the air lanes that are used by hundreds of planes each day. The most dangerous aspect of flying is the trip to the airport to catch the plane. Once the plane is in the air I feel safe and stress free. Do you feel the same way about flying?
Yes
31%
•
659 votes
No
23%
•
476 votes
Undecided
19%
•
409 votes
Not Applicable
26%
•
556 votes
- Landing in a blizzard. We all shook the pilots hand after that one
- doors and wheels fall off.
- No, I hate turbulence
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