Trying To Pave The Way For The Third World Man?

Why is it that in countries like China, Mexico, and the Philippines, where you take your life into your hands every time you get in a motor vehicle and the rules of the road more often than not seem to be doing whatever the hell you feel like, one can enter a marked cross-walk feeling quite confident that oncoming traffic will indeed stop while in the good ol' United States of America--a country known for it adherence to the rule of law--every time one enters a cross-walk, even one marked with flashing lights so that even the most dull-headed motorist should notice, one takes one's life into one's hands? This questions stems from several personal experiences, the most recent two having occurred as recently as yesterday. And yes, I am a little bitter about it.