Don't let accident skew view of airport safety

The airplane accident that killed a man on a Hilton Head Island beach is tragic. As those opposing modernizing the airport typically oppose everything related to it, we will likely hear now how "dangerous" the airport is.

The accident is a freak rarity, part of the life's vicissitudes, one of many rare, uncontrollable quirks of fate, far less likely than being killed by lightning.

Of hundreds of millions of miles flown annually, the Air Safety Foundation reports the number of people killed in planes falling from the sky is, in most years, zero. In the last entire reported year, 2008, a total of six deaths occurred in off-airport accidents in the U.S.

About 90 people in the U.S. die annually by lightning.

For local perspective, bicycle riding on public roads is one of the most dangerous ways to travel. Hilton Head is ahead of most places with its network of pathways that follow roadways, but are safely separated.

Modernization of bike paths consumes property, but bikes get great press. Modernization also will make our airport, now safe, even safer.

Cars kill about 35,000 people a year nationally, about 20 in Beaufort County alone in 2008.

We all have fears. Although the danger of death to children under 10 is 100 times greater with a swimming pool than a gun in the home, I enjoy our pool and don't have a gun.

Let's acknowledge our fears. Let's stick to the facts. Let's enjoy our walk on the beach.

Jim Heavner

Hilton Head Island