You're indeed right. Though, I'm not sure how you disentangle effects from shifts in public policy and legal frameworks over that entire time span. My guess i

You're indeed right. Though, I'm not sure how you disentangle effects from shifts in public policy and legal frameworks over that entire time span. My guess is: people died -> loved ones were upset -> political and commercial pressure mounted -> improvements were made. It might be that commercial interests often align with public safety and perception, but I bet that on the lower-end of the price spectrum, people would be willing to buy cars that endangered themselves and others. If only for lack of options.