This is a very recent phenomenon driven by hybridization and fuel regulation (auto get better mileage because they have more gear). But you are right, they sell a lot more auto nowaday than they used to.

I'm from EU, and i've been driving both manual and automatic transmission. I can testify that auto transmission is safer, your hands are 100% at the steering wheel. Most people cannot turn and change gear at the same time.

I've also spend quite a bit time in US driving. EU is safer as narrower streets/lanes and smaller number of lanes (on highways), closer parked cars and pedestrians/bicycles forces you to pay much more attention.

> Most people cannot turn and change gear at the same time.

That's just not true. If you cannot do that, you won't get your driver's license in most countries.

Sweden has very strict tests for the drivers license, and afaik you can easily pass those without ever turning (more than a fairly small bit) and changing the gear at the same time. With the planning you are supposed to learn this is kind of a natural consequence.