> the actual risk of driving a vehicle is astoundingly low

And what about the risk to other road users, pedestrians and cyclists, who are not encased in steel crumple zones?

Regulating driving behaviour is not just about preservation of the driver, it's also about creating an environment conducive to a functioning community. At present the bias is strongly towards the car-user ( e.g. making pedestrians wait at crossings ) but at least the principle is maintained.