How can public transportation systems improve road safety?

Public transportation systems enhance road safety primarily by reducing the number of individual vehicles on the road. When more people use public transit, there are fewer personal vehicles navigating the same streets, which directly lowers the likelihood of collisions. This reduction in vehicle density leads to less traffic congestion, making it easier for drivers and pedestrians to navigate without the added complications that come with a higher volume of vehicles.

Additionally, with fewer cars on the road, emergency response times can improve, and the chances of accidents decrease as there is less competition for space among road users. Public transportation can also encourage the use of sustainable modes of travel and can be integrated with pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, further promoting safety and reducing road traffic accidents.

The other choices would lead to the opposite of improved safety: increasing individual vehicles or overcrowding the roads typically raises the risk of accidents, while promoting personal vehicle use counters the benefits of public transit by encouraging more cars on the roads. Overall, public transportation represents a proactive approach to enhancing road safety through traffic management and reducing the overall vehicle count.