They are right, though. After years of (probably subconscious) conditioning I have a "quiet => safe" condition imprinted very deeply. Especially on smaller streets in quieter neighborhoods.
Precisely (though "walking" is a better word than "jumping"). I need to put in a conscious effort to actually look, especially when I'm lost in thought. (The fact that in some places there is no clear visual distinction between the street and the pavement does not help, either.)
People here tend to walk in middle of the road in smaller one-way streets and move aside when they hear engine noise. More then once I've been startled by electric cars quietly creeping behind me.
