hmm, i do look for adventure, within reasonable limits
when i'm travelling i really tend to avoid touristy places, i much prefer the smaller more deserted villages where real contact with the people is still possible and feels natural; in a way this degree of 'exclusivity' is really addicting!
..but off course i'm not looking to get myself killed
i personally found the routa 40 or Carretera Austral very very safe, in fact those are the safest areas of South America, both Chile and Argentina have excellent 'Western' life standards and people are sure to help out
Bolivia and Peru on the other hand were different for me, i wouldn't say its super dangerous but the vast nature and poverty make things more on edge, but then again i also have some of the strongest memories of these sections!
the routa inter salar for example (Oruro to Uyuni, crossing 2 salt plains) was.. well.. mind blowing for me.. days and days of horrible deserted sandy dirt road with villages from the middle ages and in return you get the most exclusive view on nature and people possible :-)
anyway, thanks for the info so far! i will definitely look into this further