As to the issue of safety by years. I was able to look it up, but no longer have the references. IIRC deaths/mile was worse around 1940, and total deaths peaked late 50's 60's because so many more miles driven. There is also a film on-line made in late 50's and not shown to public where they crashed in to test cars with dummies inside. Its pretty bad. One I remember is crash into passenger side and dummie in drivers seat flies right through passenger window. It will make you wear a seat belt.
I'm old enough to recall a general lack of concern for safety in the 50's-60'''s not just cars, but work conditions, etc. Seems like every time we went on a family vacation we saw some crash that was fatal. Blown tires, impaled on poorly designed guard rails, etc.
Drunk driving was socially acceptable then.
I think a restored car with well maintained brakes, cautious driver, radial tires, seat belts, advantages of modern road construction, avoid areas like freeway in rush hour is probably a lot safer than it was in the 50's.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...n_U.S._by_year