Orlando, Fla.—As much as public transportation is relatively safe due to low crash and crime risk, when compared to automobile travel, many transit service improvements can help increase these rates by just enhancing surveillance on risk zones. Only a tiny portion of total violent crimes occur in transit vehicles and stations. Transit passengers also face crime risk when walking or cycling to and from stops and stations. Such trips usually occur on urban streets with passive surveillance. Only when walking or cycling in isolated areas are transit passengers likely to incur high crime risk.

The public perception is different. People are hesitant to use it because they consider it dangerous, despite its overall lower crime rates. Several factors contribute to this dismay, including the fact that being a public matter, the media covers it heavily putting much more emphasis on the danger than its safety and benefits. Disproportionate media coverage can also stimulate transit fear. Because transit accidents and assaults are infrequent, they tend to receive significant media coverage. A fatal transit crash or transit terrorist attack often produces national and international media coverage, while fatal automobile crashes are so common they are usually only reported locally.

According to the Victoria Transport Policy Institute on a study that took place in August of 2019, public transportation is overall a very safe form of travel. It’s passengers have less than a tenth the per-mile crash rates as automobile occupants, and transit-oriented communities have less than a fifth the total (pedestrian, cyclist, automobile and transit passenger) per capita traffic fatality rates as in automobile- dependent communities. The study revealed that as transit travel increases, per capita traffic fatality rates tend to decline. Cities where residents average more than 50 annual transit trips have about half the average traffic fatality rates as cities where residents average fewer than 20 annual transit trips. Comparisons of major U.S. cities indicate that those which significantly improved their public transportation services, and increased transit ridership, experienced considerable reductions in traffic casualty rates— compared with cities alike with less transit-supportive policies. 

Just think how many accidents occur in airplanes, trains, cruises, limousines, buses, and taxis — versus the amount of accidents that occur daily on regular private vehicles. But at the top of your mind, you will always recall those that have been discussed in details for days, weeks or even months.

It is important for business owners like you, to keep spreading the good news, letting others know the benefits of public transportation. Improving transportation options and transit-oriented development can reduce crime risk in several ways. These tend to reduce total per capita crime rates rather than simply shifting where crimes occur.

At Garzor Insurance we are ready to answer your questions, and help you find insurance coverage for your public transportation business, in line with state’s requirements and local industry guidelines. Our courteous agents will give you an orientation regarding what companies offer what you need, and compare policy premiums to help you save.

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For more information call us at  Garzor Insurance (321) 206-8035.