When it comes to travelling, safety is paramount.

While many of us consider factors like comfort, legroom, or proximity to exits when selecting our seats, few of us consider which seat might be the safest in the event of an accident.

This comprehensive guide will delve into the safest places to sit on various modes of transport, from planes and trains to cars, buses, and boats.

The Hidden Dangers of Car Travel

Despite advancements in vehicle safety technology, car journeys still pose a relatively high risk.

In 2022, there were 1,194 fatalities in road collisions, according to a government report—a 5.8 per cent increase from the previous year.

So, where is the safest place to sit in a car?

A study published in 2008 by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that the rear middle seat is safer than any other position in a car.

Occupants in the rear middle seat had a 13 per cent increased chance of survival when involved in a fatal crash than passengers in other seats on that row.

The Australasian New Car Safety Assessment Program (ANCAP) also found that a passenger seated in the centre rear seat is less likely to come into contact with the vehicle in a collision.

However, it's worth noting that this seating position is also less likely to be equipped with advanced safety features like pretensioners and load limiters than the rear outboard seats.

These features tighten the seatbelt early in the impact and release tension once a certain force level is reached, preventing seatbelt-related injuries.

The Safest Seats in the Sky

When booking a flight, most people prioritise legroom, window views, or proximity to exits.

However, an investigation of 35 years of aircraft accident data found that the middle rear seats of an aircraft had the lowest fatality rate at 28 per cent, compared to the middle aisle seats at 44 per cent.

So, while it might not be the most comfortable or desirable spot, the middle seats in the last row could be your safest bet.


Train Travel: Middle Carriage is the Safest Bet

When it comes to train travel, the middle carriage may be the safest option in the event of a collision, according to Ross Capon, President of the National Association of Railroad Passengers.

Broken rails or welds, the leading cause of derailment on main tracks, more frequently cause derailments near the front of the train.

Safety experts also recommend avoiding window seats and opting for a rear-facing seat to reduce the likelihood of being thrown forward during a collision.

Bus Safety: Centre and Away from Traffic

On a bus, the safest seat is generally between the tyres in the centre and distanced from potential hazards such as windows and exits.

Passengers are also advised to sit on the side opposite the traffic to avoid out-of-control vehicles that have crossed over into that lane.

Boat Safety: Lower Decks or Cabins

On a passenger boat, the lower decks and cabin are the safest places, especially on rough seas where there's less risk of injury from flying objects.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) also warns against having passengers loose at the front of a vessel when a boat is travelling at high speeds, as the forces there are more intense.

For those travelling with children, aside from knowing the safest seats when travelling, you might also be interested in how an Aussie mum saved her 10-month-old son from a horrific car crash using a simple baby car seat method. You can learn about this here.

In conclusion, while we can't predict accidents, we can make informed decisions about where we sit when travelling.

Remember, safety should always be your top priority, even if it means sacrificing a bit of comfort or a window view.

Key Takeaways:

• The safest seating positions in various modes of transport can significantly impact survival chances in the event of a crash.
• An investigation has found that the middle rear seats of an aircraft have the lowest fatality rate, while the middle carriages may offer the most safety on trains.
• For car travel, the rear middle seat is deemed the safest, according to various safety studies and assessments such as ANCAP.
• On buses, seats towards the middle and farthest from traffic are advised, while lower decks or cabins on boats provide the safest spots.

What are your thoughts on this? Have you ever considered where the safest seat might be when travelling? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

 

[Mrtnst]

So basically it means, always sit in the least comfortable and interesting place in whatever you are travelling in.

 

[Catherines]

I’ve known about the rear seats on a plane for a long time, however the middle rear seat in a car does make more sense than the outer (window) seats as the outer seats are the obvious point of impact by another vehicle or object.

 

[Ezzy]

Was aware of seating in a plane but the rest are interesting suggestions. Bit hard to sit in the rear seat of a car if l am the driver. All these suggestions are worth remembering l believe.

Thanks to those people who offered these suggestions.

 

[Luckyus]

i remember once at the airport i was outside having a smoke, when I noticed a young woman smoking and seeming a bit agitated. As i got talking to her it appeared that she seem very nervous? upon inquiring that was her first flight, I made a suggestion to her in that in the event of an accident, I have one simple rule which made laugh and seemed her fears which she thanked me for when getting our gear from the carousel. (Oh thing in the advent of accident was, to tell her to remember that the last thing that would go through the mind of a first class passenger was her arsehole?) If she is a member she can confirmit?.

 

[Mrtnst]

i remember once at the airport i was outside having a smoke, when I noticed a young woman smoking and seeming a bit agitated. As i got talking to her it appeared that she seem very nervous? upon inquiring that was her first flight, I made a suggestion to her in that in the event of an accident, I have one simple rule which made laugh and seemed her fears which she thanked me for when getting our gear from the carousel. (Oh thing in the advent of accident was, to tell her to remember that the last thing that would go through the mind of a first class passenger was her arsehole?) If she is a member she can confirmit?.

Travelling with my mother, after the death of my father, we were flying back business class from visiting family in Europe.

We were both unhappy enough, without travelling in the back of the plane.

A couple of young girls, late teens, saw us and displayed their jealousy by commenting loudly that we would be the first to die in an accident.

I reminded them that the likelihood of anyone dying in a plane crash is 1 in over 800 million, while the probability of being uncomfortable on a long-hall flight in economy class is virtually 1 in 1.

 

[Penny4]

My deceased father in law was in the army plus a paratrooper in the Korean War. He told me that the cause of plane crashers usually happen with take-off and landing. So, always concentrated on take-off and landing whenever we took a plane flight.

 

[Penny4]

Travelling with my mother, after the death of my father, we were flying back business class from visiting family in Europe.

We were both unhappy enough, without travelling in the back of the plane.

A couple of young girls, late teens, saw us and displayed their jealousy by commenting loudly that we would be the first to die in an accident.

I reminded them that the likelihood of anyone dying in a plane crash is 1 in over 800 million, while the probability of being uncomfortable on a long-hall flight in economy class is virtually 1 in 1.

Such silly young girls