Every year i read about a bunch of people dying horribly on the roads and being stuck out there in the middle of winter to the point that emergency services have to distribute water and blankets, as everyone crams onto the same 5 roads during christmas.
Meanwhile the worst that happens on public transport is being stuck for an hour or two on a relatively comfortable train that probably even has toilets.

[–] Treczoks@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago

Yes, but the automobile industry does not want you to know that. The same auto industry that made crossing the road at any non-90° angle a crime.

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

You are afraid of public transit because of inflated crime statistics.

I am afraid of public transit because I was late for the bus in kindergarten and got run over chasing it.

We are not the same.

[–] A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago

Public transit isnt generally dangerous.

It just generally sucks. Depending on where you have to go and the public means to get there, it can take hours to get somewhere that takes 15-20 minutes by car.

Almost as if its intentionally designed to encourage car ownership.

[–] wewbull@feddit.uk 3 points 6 days ago

...only because it has other Americans on it.

[–] WillieShen@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago (3 children)

As a Taiwanese, I have a perception that the US is dangerous, with lots of drug users and gun shots, and even in schools. Is that stereotype or fact?

[–] Rooster326@programming.dev 4 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

There are lots of drug users, and lots of gun shots, and yes even in schools

But I feel you're vastly underestimating the size of the US.

[–] devedeset@lemmy.zip 3 points 6 days ago

There's a lot of nuance. I've lived in a major west coast city for years and I never heard any gunshots in public. Drug users are sometimes visible, it seems to be less common in recent years but you can see it at times. I suppose it depends on what you mean by "drug users", cannabis is legal in my state and its pretty common to see in public but no one really cares about that, to me "drug users" means hard stuff like fentanyl.

Violent gun crime is a real problem and it is much worse in other parts of the country. Most of the time it isn't random. There are still mass shootings and random violent crime. I assume Taiwan is much safer. I've never been robbed or witnessed any serious violent crime in my 30+ years living here.

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[–] Someonelol@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Personal experience and thus anecdotal I know, but the light rail line I used to take for work has had issues to say the least. A coworker ended up murdered in one of the more secluded stations two years ago. I've personally had a taser pulled on my face only to find out the guy was trying to sell it. All the cars reek of piss and I've seen someone having a mental health crisis try to peel off the thin padding off one of the seats.

I really want public transit to work but it does require a firm hand to keep people in line and safe in such enclosed areas. It's one of the few venues I'd actually welcome some increased security and fare enforcement in.

[–] baronvonj@piefed.social 3 points 6 days ago

Those issues aren't intrinsic to the situation, the solutions are rooted in better social services and education, so people aren't struggling with untreated issues to begin with.

[–] SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

I almost puked while this 40 something yr old Asian women across from me on the subway methodically peeled skin off of her bare feet.

[–] criscodisco@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago

Everyone banded together and threw her off at the next stop, right?

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

it is, but its quite inadequete in many parts of the country. and quite limited in well "funded" areas. also the distates for HSR. also covid made people forget how to drive safely.

[–] MasterNerd@lemmy.zip 2 points 6 days ago

I'd rather have some dude freak out at me on the bus than behind the wheel of a multi-ton death machine

[–] Hueristic_Autistic@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Safe depending on how the bus driver feels that day. Safe depending on how that Uber driver feels that day.

Also some Uber drivers have this fucked up mindset like cab drivers used to have, that because they're doing a job they have some kind of priority over traffic and sometimes try to cut traffic or speed.

Busses I swear your safety with how the driver may be is dependent on how their mood is and you know what no one thinks of, is your safety isn't guaranteed with other passengers. There's always, ALWAYS!!!!! One ride a week that will have some crazy ass fucker in it.

The train is more like, I hope the weather doesn't derail this and how the fuck is the weight limit not exceeded.

When in reality the only vehicles that genuinely have any priority in any traffic setting are the Ambulances/EMS Vehicles, Police/Law Enforcement Vehicles and Fire Trucks.

Other than that it's not so bad, I don't mind it.

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