We also don't hand out driver's licenses left and right to anyone with the ability to find the correct pedals. From what I have seen in the states, you average bad swedish driver would be an american interstate wunderkind.
That is correct. However, this is also true in the US. So since neither requires retaking any tests upon renewal, Swedish drivers (assuming initial premise to be correct) will always be better than their US counterparts, on a proportional decline over time on a graph.
I agree that there might be something to do there, but it is again not invalidating the initial statement.
Alcoholics on the other hand cause a massive amount of accidents.
Engaging in criminal behavior would be negligence, not accidental.
http://justicespeakersinstitute.com/traffic-crashes-theyre-n...
Also, a good point someone was made is that it may be easier for technology to solve the problems of elderly drivers who still have good cognition. E.g. you can make up for their limited neck flexibility with blind spot radar and backup cameras, and poor reaction times with collision detection systems. It's harder to do that for a teen who wants to drive too fast or make aggressive lane changes.
Take away someone's license in the US and it can be almost impossible for them to buy food, go to work, etc. I tried once living without a car for a month, and it only reason it was possible was because I lived near the center of town ... and because I bummed a few rides when I didn't feel like making the 45 minute walk home at night.
It's a bit better now, but I'm talking about 12 years ago.
I've since moved to a place with better cycling infrastructure.