Safety: major objections were raised with regard to the overhead electric wires and the mechanized streetcar itself.

• Electricity was still relatively unfamiliar and its dangers not well known. In addition, the first execution using the electric chair had occurred in 1890. So it was at least known to the people that electricity efficiently kills. Newspapers discussed the safety aspects of these wires and the US Senate debated the safety aspects.
  
  
• There was nothing illegitimate about this fear. Fallen wires often caught fire. The overhead wires also interfered with the ability and safety of firemen to fight fires in tall buildings.
  
  
• Manufactures then developed guard wires above the trolley wires protecting them from falling telegraph and telephone wires, thus, implicitly acknowledging the danger.

Another major concern of the trolley opponents was the safety of pedestrians. In those initial years it was acknowledged even by the pro-streetcar groups that there was an epidemic of injuries to people (both pedestrians and passengers) who fell under the wheels of streetcars. The speed of the trolley increased the risk factor. An urge was felt to develop safety devices to reduce the carnage but the companies did not pay any heed.

Noise: These trolley cars contributed to noise pollution; they emitted a loud, high-pitched whine.