I'm from EU, and i've been driving both manual and automatic transmission. I can testify that auto transmission is safer, your hands are 100% at the steering wheel. Most people cannot turn and change gear at the same time.
I've also spend quite a bit time in US driving. EU is safer as narrower streets/lanes and smaller number of lanes (on highways), closer parked cars and pedestrians/bicycles forces you to pay much more attention.
I've also spend quite a bit time in US driving. EU is safer as narrower streets/lanes and smaller number of lanes (on highways), closer parked cars and pedestrians/bicycles forces you to pay much more attention.