Democracy demands that at least 50% plus one agree with you.
The people believe whatever they're told to believe. Americans were told that cars would bring them freedom, security, and individuality. Instead, the vehicles can be seized at the least pretext without recourse other than waiving of fees (if you are lucky), any attempt to flee a natural disaster will result in joining a traffic jam, and the individuality is just like everyone else's.
I love driving. It is probably my second-favorite activity in the whole wide world, although I've never actually flown anything outside of a simulator, and I have a feeling that would do even better. But frankly, a functional public transportation system would serve most people better. If the auto companies weren't running things in transportation we could at least have a national dialogue about replacing cars with something better, like PRT — which can provide all of the benefits of the personal auto without any of the drawbacks.
If anything, cars should be less safe and speed limits higher to force people to pay attention, or else.
If there were any evidence that this saved lives, then that might be a good idea. There isn't. What makes cars more dangerous is more speed — it doesn't necessarily increase the risk of an accident, but it does make an accident more dangerous. What makes cars less dangerous is more safety features. Stuff that keeps cars out of accidents, stuff that reduces the amount of energy transferred to the occupants. Not less safety features. Meanwhile, I want all the safety features for that moment when someone else isn't paying attention.