Several pilots quit flying when they realize they can not have a perfect risk-free flight. These are generally the safest pilots. Thus, all pilots need to know that unique to aviation, they choose their level of safety. Most car accidents are two car accidents. Other than a few mid-airs every year, aviation accidents are mostly single aircraft accidents.
Pilots while flying do not worry about a drunk pilot coming across eight lanes of traffic, being rear-ended by someone talking on a cell phone, or being side-swiped by someone changing lanes at 70 mph in parked traffic. They do need to develop and keep a vigilant eye out for other traffic.
In flying, the pilot-in-command is completely responsible for the safety of the flight. There is no greater freedom, nor no greater responsibility.
Generally, 40% of fatal general aviation accidents are a result of fuel mismanagement or starvation. 40% comes from the pilots flying into weather for which the pilot or aircraft is not rated. 10% comes from lacking skills. The rest is a mix of maintenance issues, mid-airs, and other odd events. Non-fatal accidents, other than the fuel mismanagement and flying into weather for which the pilot was not rated, are generally skill issues, thus the currency requirements.
Accident and incident rates increase steeply after 90 days of not flying. 
CRM is not Robert Stack and John Wayne in &amp;ldquo;The High &amp; Mighty.&amp;rdquo; A lot of it is uncommon sense about being respectful, polite, and listening to the other pilot. Flight instructors need to acknowledge and respect student decisions especially when approaching uncomfortable situations such as stall practice. 
SRM is not the pilot is god and the world must bend to the pilot&amp;rsquo;s desires. ATC and especially weather do not always agree with pilot&amp;rsquo;s desires. Rather, the pilot should think of ATC as a resource along with the pilot&amp;rsquo;s training, other pilots, mechanics, the ton of FAA paperwork, and even the pilot&amp;rsquo;s former instructors.