I think it's because you can add better tires to car with 4WD if you determine you need it. You can't add 4WD/AWD to a car with winter tires.
For the non-professional drivers on public roads, AWD is not a safety feature. It's arguably dangerous as it gives false confidence as you exceed the limits of your equipment.
It does provide a convenience at low speeds (e.g. parking lots and driveways) as it makes it more difficult to get stuck but even there tires and ground clearance are the dominant factors.
[1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC1E2eDt1JY [2]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXjzYbpt9Ow