Safety - How safe are recumbents and can I make them safer?

Cycling is safer than doing no exercise and in terms of emergency room visits, statistically safer than playing basketball (National Safety Council of America.)

www.bicyclinglife.com/SafetySkills/SafetyQuiz.htm

Comparing cycling to driving, which is safer?

France: An hour of cycling is safer than an hour of driving.
Germany: cycling is about equal in safety, per hour.
Sweden: cycling is about equal in safety.
Switzerland: cycling is about equal in safety.
Netherlands: cycling is about equal in safety.
Australia: cycling is slightly more dangerous than driving.
USA: cycling is safer than driving, per hour.
Britain: cycling is more dangerous.

We don't have statistics comparing recumbents with road bikes. In a study of the members of UKs, CTC, a cyclist was killed every 15,000 person-years of cycling.
So the perception of cycling being 'dangerous' doesn't hold up - generally speaking the danger is about the same as for driving a car but cycling provides health benefits that extend life.

Anecdotally it seems that there are two main types of cycling fatality. Cyclists are hit from behind, or run over at intersections.

With regard to rear impacts, you can take the following precautions.

NEVER ride into a setting sun if you have another option.
If you are forced to ride into a setting sun, ride on the footpath, even if illegal.
Fit and use a mirror and if it's obvious that the vehicle approaching from the rear may be a danger, get off the road immediately.

NEVER RIDE ON THE ROAD INTO A SETTING SUN IF IT'S RAINING - NO - NOT EVER.
Likewise, don't ride at night when it's raining if you have any other option and it almost goes without saying that you must have bright lights.

Staying safe at intersections.

Don't try to hide in the gutter, you may not be seen. Use the bike lane if it's safe and utilise the 'bike boxes' at traffic lights.
If you have a mirror (and you really should) 'take the lane' as you approach an intersection. Cars will see you if you're directly in front.

DO NOT PULL OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE YOU HAVE 'RIGHT OF WAY.' Wait until you can see clearly both ways and if there is traffic that should be giving way, try to make eye contact.

Trikes seem to be over represented in fatalities at intersections. This may be because they are low and can be hidden by other traffic in a term that I call "masking." If you're riding a low racer or trike, you're completely hidden by the traffic around you, except the vehicle behind you.

Ride as if you're invisible and you'll ride much safer.