I don't know of any evidence that discs are 100% safer than rim brakes. I prefer disc brakes, but I don't hold with the idea that rim brakes are unsafe. Know the limitations of your equipment and plan/react accordingly. I've ridden bikes with fairly weak coaster brakes, and I managed to stay alive on those, too. Rim brakes are standard on a lot of styles of bikes, and it's only fairly recently that I started seeing touring bikes made with disc brakes. I like them. I use them. But I don't feel like I'm risking my life when I ride a bike with rim brakes, given that rim brakes have been the standard most of my adult life.