I wasn't offering a suggestion or an alternative, merely pointing out that if one places themselves into a position with a higher than reasonable amount of risk, then they do so knowing that if there is a problem they may not be as "safe" as they could be.
Everyone who gets on an airplane, does so accepting the risk. Getting on an aircraft without an available seat is not an option. If that was an option, doing so would be rather stupid. Riding in a land vehicle in the DR travelling at highway speeds without a seat or seat belt presents a higher degree of risk to oneself. The individual makes their own choice. I wouldn't do that, but that's me. Where one chooses to sit may also have an impact (pun intended) on one's chances of surviving a crash.
Here in the DR I only ride in full sized buses. I have chosen to get off a bus that had no seat belt that I could use. I took a later bus. I realize that my situation provides choices that others do not have but that does not absolve someone from making the safest choice possible and weighing the risks vs the benefits. Much is beyond the control of the travelling public - driver competence, mechanical condition of the vehicle road conditions, other drivers etc., but some prudent choices can prove advantageous if all does not go as planned.
This is not an all or nothing proposition. Every activity carries some sort of inherent risks. Some of these risks can be mitigated after reasoned consideration. Some still choose not to "over think" things and rely solely on the roll of the dice. That was my sole point.
Plan for the worst, hope for the best....
