Driver quality in the US is much lower than in cycling hotspots like the Netherlands or Denmark. Infrastructure helps, but better drivers are critical.

I think it feels that way because people just drive much faster. If you forced people to slow down, I don't think the avg quality of driver is worse.

I don't have much international experience, but the level of distraction of US drivers is shocking. Easily 50% of drivers I see are looking at their phones (even while going through an intersection!).