I think this is the real issue, everyone, thinks they are the worlds best driver. Realistically, about half the drivers in North America would have no trouble completing the qualifying round for the Canada's Worst Driver contest. The issue with drivers in North America is that they are so poorly trained it's not funny. If you can drive around the block and parallel park without hitting anything, you can get a licence. Professional drivers are a little better trained, but not by much. Combine this with poor enforcement and you have a bad situation. Since most adult people on bicycles, are drivers as well, the same poor habits are exhibited when cycling as well.

Case in point, speed limits, before 1980 speedometers were mechanical, and not very accurate. so police gave drivers a grace amount, this meant that the speed limit quickly became a recommended speed, then became a minimum. Even though legally a police officer can give you a speeding ticket for going 51km/h in a 50km/h zone, it doesn't happen.