Extending the analogy, passwords could be much safer, just as certain roads are much safer (better engineering, guard rails, fluorescent markers, accurate speed

Extending the analogy, passwords could be much safer, just as certain roads are much safer (better engineering, guard rails, fluorescent markers, accurate speed limits for a given stretch of roads), police/EMT accessibility. Enforced requirements for complex passwords, required routine password changes, 2-factor auth, etc. They aren't perfect but they can exceed 'good enough' requirements.