Well it is a tough call. Drivers are distracted these days and there is more congestion and people are in more of a hurry. A great many of the bike accidents your read about are caused by people on bikes doing stupid shiat. High speed wheelies, running from the cops, weaving, speeding and losing it.
When I ride I am alert and somewhat fearfull, but not scared if that makes any sense. I am not scared as in fear for my life, jittery, but I am fearfull of what people could do. When you see 2 bikes down in one afternoon it causes me to pause. I don't know what happened in the Mechanicsville incident and I suppose what is worrisome to me is that I used to hear the biker was doing something foolish and feel reassured I was OK as long as I keep my wits about me and stay defensive, lately it is getting a little harder to keep the same mindset.