In the east we have high speed roads that aren't long stretches of straight. For example, the parkways around New York (Taconic, Sprain Brook, Northern/Souther

In the east we have high speed roads that aren't long stretches of straight. For example, the parkways around New York (Taconic, Sprain Brook, Northern/Southern State, Cross Island, Merritt) are 2 lane 65 mph highways with no shoulders and narrow, winding lanes. The drivers also tend to be aggressive and not give you a lot of space. Handling matters on those roads. Lots of rural highways in New England are also high speed, narrow, single lane winding affairs through wooded mountains. I don't think those roads are unique to New England, but that's where I have experience with them. If your experience with driving is sitting in traffic or driving around suburban streets, you're right, handling (mostly) doesn't matter.