After passing my test in the UK, my first time in a car, 'on my own', was somthing of a trial by fire, as it was in rush hour traffic in Naples in a left hand drive car. Having driven there I can certainly say that driving in the UK is a breeze by comparison. However, no matter how familiar you are with your own local roads, or how confident you are in your own abilities, you just cant account for that one person putting their lippy on, or sending a text message. The 'B' roads around where I live are in a pretty sad state still too, (though they are getting there with repairs) and meeting someone on a corner on your side of the road trying to avoid a crater, or a lumber lorry cutting the corner a bit tight, certainly helps to adhere you to your seat and make you think twice about throwing your car into a corner at any speed (even when you know the car is nowhere near the limit, either speed or grip).
I still have fun though, and I guess its a case of 'Common Sense Rules'! Its just that some seem to have more of it than others!