Lots of people here have made the decision not to ride on roads anymore for the very reason that they can't trust motorists. That's about the only thing you can do to guarantee your safety as far as cars are concerned. I am not avoiding all roads, but have changed my riding habits to minimize contact with cars. For example, I would not have been chosen to ride that road in OP. And if I had to I would have ridden right of the fog line. Traffic going 55 mph and me going 20 mph is too great a difference in speed for me to be comfortable.