Flying Is Safer, Why Doesn't It Seem Safer?

Flying is extraordinarily safe. Not only that, it is getting safer. Why, then, do some believe the opposite to be true?In the 1990s, a Boeing study showed aviation was growing so rapidly that, unless advancements in safety were speeded up, a crash would occur someplace in the world every week.The report further predicted that the public would not be able to put frequent crashes into context. Instead of recognizing the increased number of accidents was due to greater flight activity, many would believe flying had become dangerous.Our ability to judge safety is based largely on emotion. Statistics are not helpful. The number of flights that arrive safely – though vast – does not reduce the emotional impact when a person thinks about an air tragedy, or when imagining that ones own flight might end similarly. Boeing’s conclusion was simple: safety needed to improve at an accelerated rate.What has come to pass? Aviation has grown rapidly, as predicted. Safety has improved at an even faster pace. Instead of the previously predicted one crash per week, we are currently experiencing one crash every six weeks.On a world-wide basis, for every plane that crashes, two-and-a-half million planes take to the air. Where aviation is more advanced - the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand - safety is twenty-five times greater than elsewhere. No major airline in the U.S. and Canada has suffered a fatality in over a dozen years.Nevetheless, as Boeing predicted, many are finding it difficult to deal with one crash every six weeks. Though flying is safer, there is an impression that safety is deteriorating. Comments on social media express shock.

• Why are all these planes suddenly crashing?

• All these planes missing, or crashing, really aren’t helping my fear of flying. I honestly doubt I’ll be back on a plane anytime soon.

• It’s scary to know that planes are crashing and missing. Who knows I might be next on the list.

As you read this, I hope you will take what Boeing said about the public's ability (to put events into context) as a challenge, and recognize that flying has become safer. If, however, flying still doesn't feel safe, the free app I have put together may help.https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/conquer-fear-flying/201502/flying-is-safer-why-doesnt-it-seem-safer