[pct-l] Hiking .vs Driving Safety

[Amanda L Silvestri]

Perhaps I am not getting into the spirit of this issue, but it seems to me that one of the points of backpacking is to leave the relative safety of the known world behind and to take a risk by venturing into the WILDerness.   
 
Even so, It is certainly MUCH safer than it used to be.  There are no hostile Indians out to get you. The Greasily Bear is essentially gone, at least in California.  Black Bears and Cougars try to avoid you.  You have a map and a guide book.  Hundreds of people have passed this way before you.  I haven't seen any hot roders on the trail lately.  I have seen some dirt bikers, but they were more afraid of me than I was of them.  Street gangs won't come out onto the trail because it is too far from the city and there are no street lights.  Few airplanes fall onto the trail.  
 
The big danger is what, not paying attention and falling off a ledge, being hit by a falling rock or tree branch, being attacked by mosquitoes, hypo and hyperthermia, dehydration?  All of this can be avoided with only a little attention and preparation.  Am I wrong or am I becoming a cynic?  Of course hiking is safer than driving.  It is safer than going to public school too.
 
Shepherd