The only roads I've cycled that I think were genuinely safer than UK roads - as opposed to some rose tinted impression - was Amish country in Pennsylvania, where the roads are broad and straight and visibility is as good as ever, but there were few cars.
The worst cycling experiences I have ever had were in France on a ride to the Ventoux area and on LP ride, the worst examples:
1. Long draggy up hill. Enormous truck came alongside, and moved closer and closer pushing me to the side until I could have reached out bent armed on one side and touched his wheel and on the other the armco barrier. People in the group asked if I was ok when we got to the top - they had been genuinely worried for my safety.
2. Long straight downhill. Wide cycle lane 20plus mph. Car coming from side-track pulls out to the edge of the road proper ie across the cycle lane.
Full on emergency breaking - choice: Hit the side of the car. Swing in front with traffic coming up hill and rick a head on collision. Swing behind.
I chose the swing behind option, how I managed to stay upright I will never know.
3. Twisty valley ride alongside river. Low stone parapet wall on one side. Rock face on the other. French driver came partly alongside but found he could not see enough to pass, instead of backing off he came ever closer pushing me to the parapet wall to the point I was forced to stop.
4. On the L2P, ride into outskirts of Paris to find booked hotel was a long succession of crazy close passes.
France may appear safer because there are fewer cars in most areas, but the standard of driving I experienced on those trips was worse than anything I have experienced in the UK