I’m going to guess that neither of you live in Florida...where we practice defensive driving tactics against Buicks and Q-tips (white tufts of hair peeping above the steering wheel).
I've lived in a lot of different places, driven in even more places and dealt with all sorts of drivers. I've been hit quite a few times as well, and in each situation, my small cars have kept me safe.
I cannot control the price of gas. I cannot control the price of oil. I cannot control how many refineries are built or how many are running at a given time. I can, however, control how much gas I use, and I do it by buying small, fuel efficient, non-hybrid vehicles.
Personally, I think that safety=maneuverability+driver alertness+braking+acceleration+vehicle maintenance.
I never felt particularly endangered at any time.