Whether the term of reference is "miles" or "hours", I'll only offer
that I don't personally know any daily commuters who have died in that
endeavor. I've known and flown with at least a hundred guys who died in
tactical fighters. That evidence is only anecdotal, but it works for
me.

As for "can a coward become a Fighter Pilot"? The clear answer is no. A
coward might become a pilot flying fighters, but would never be a
Fighter Pilot.