Newbie looking for experience based recommendations or suggestions

[Nigel]

Never been to South America, Africa, Asia or UK so can't say how different driving in those places is.

Seems you are somewhat correct, Russia and USA are similarly dangerous, Canada is much safer, but I think I will stay here:

Road Deaths per 100,000 inhabitants:
ZIMBABWE 63.47
RUSSIA 11.23
UNITED STATES 11.10
CANADA 4.58
UNITED KINGDOM 2.81
SWITZERLAND 1.71

ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DEATH RATE BY COUNTRY

Interactive Charts and Maps that Rank Road traffic accidents as a Cause of Death for every country in the World.

www.worldlifeexpectancy.com