Your question is structured like a chicken and egg scenario
but it’s one tied around human factor engineering taking a phrase from Air Crash Investigators.
So consider the visions of fluffy pillows popping out of the steering/dash/seat/roof to protect you, ABS brakes helping you steer out of harms way, lane keeping assistance helping you avoid a head on, radar cruise control making it easier to send that sms on the freeway. All these visions help to alter driver perceptions and mindset so that the fear of death is further removed from reality.
Just like aircraft, where it has been acknowledged auto flight systems have resulted in pilots loosing basic skills and becoming too dependant on such systems, motor vehicles suffer from the same human factor issues plaguing airlines. Sadly there is not the same focus within the automotive world as there is within the aviation world.
How else could rational people drive while texting/checking social media accounts/video blogging all while behind the wheel. If that doesn’t put fear into the lack of real comprehension of cause and effect and the lack of skill and ability of today’s current drivers, then nothing will.
But don’t take my word for it, have a read of Ralf Nadar’s
Unsafe at any speed. Even though it was written in the mid sixties, and look at human factor engineering, it looks at the behaviours of auto manufacturers and it is still relevant today. You can then decide for yourself if you trust the auto manufacturers safety features will make you a better driver and whether such systems actually look after your safety (hint takata grenades definitely don’t).