In the east we have high speed roads that aren't long stretches of straight. For example, the parkways around New York (Taconic, Sprain Brook, Northern/Southern State, Cross Island, Merritt) are 2 lane 65 mph highways with no shoulders and narrow, winding lanes. The drivers also tend to be aggressive and not give you a lot of space. Handling matters on those roads. Lots of rural highways in New England are also high speed, narrow, single lane winding affairs through wooded mountains. I don't think those roads are unique to New England, but that's where I have experience with them.
If your experience with driving is sitting in traffic or driving around suburban streets, you're right, handling (mostly) doesn't matter.
If your experience with driving is sitting in traffic or driving around suburban streets, you're right, handling (mostly) doesn't matter.