[naberhausj]

This is the same attitude as people who are afraid of commercial flying despite it being the single safest form of transport. I get it. But it's irrational.

You might not get stabbed, but driving is incredibly dangerous. Even just in terms of violence: road rage is tolerated to a large extent in America. The difference is that the news doesn't report even a small fraction of the traffic deaths in this country. In Iowa, the state I used to live in, around 300 people died every year from driving. I don't know a single one of those people despite their death being a tragedy. Whereas the stories you linked were broadcast coast to coast.

[dmitrygr]

I can control the safety of my car by buying a bigger car, driving certain ways, etc. You are comparing risks you have no control over with risks that you do.

But I am in no way stopping you. Feel free to take USA public transit, and (i truly do not know how) look your family in the eyes and encourage them to do the same. I truly hope that I do not read about your or your family in the news in this light (nobody deserves that), but your chances will be higher than mine.

[naberhausj]

I don't think the statistics would bear out there being any way to make driving safer per passenger mile than public transport.

I get what you're saying. The empirical evidence just doesn't agree AFAIK.