None safer. Unfortunately, these are the most optimized solutions for problems with multiple parameters to tweak (safety, scalability, viability,...). If there were a better way, why wouldn't it be implemented?
If those aren't us to snuff (I suspect) we should probably remediate the deferred maintenance and implement all planned upgrades.
I have never compared the safety records, so my assumption was pretty baseless in retrospect.
All I'm saying is, the day a Tesla et. al become significantly more affordable than a Honda Civic, with the ability for seamless cross country travel, is the day one can accurately claim no dependency on oil