I try so hard to be a good driver :/

I used to be very afraid of driving, but it's necessary, so I've gotten a lot more comfortable. I'm a defensive driver, and as such, I drive slow, wait a little extra at intersections to be positive I have an opening, all that good stuff. But I still make so many blunders.

I can think of several scenarios I've looked all around my blind spots, waited a few extra seconds just to be sure, judged the speed of other cars the best I can, and STILL end up almost hitting/being hit by someone. But I think it's been my fault every time.

It's starting to wear on me and I'm sure I'm missing something. I take right turns as often as possible to avoid crossing lanes, unless it's absolutely certain nobody is coming. I try to make as many protected lefts as possible at lights etc. I will add time to my route just to take a path of least resistance.

I have a small car, so it can't be that I'm too wide or too long. I would really appreciate hearing how some of you think about driving, maybe I need a change of perspective.

Obviously my biased rendition will have me painted as the perfect driver, but clearly I am making mistakes somewhere regardless of my caution. I'm wondering if being too cautious makes me slow to make calls. But I really don't want to put urgency on myself, because I feel like that would be worse.