So here in E. TN we're seeing a new effort by the local police regarding the tail of the dragon. They are getting tired of the dangerous shenanigans, accidents and deaths, and are announcing on local news and facebook etc stepped up patrol of the route. I avoid that road in the main season just to keep away from all the car/bike wannabe racers driving and riding like absolute shitheads, who put me and everyone else at risk. I hope the cops can make a difference there, it really needs more cop presence to hopefully slow the idiots down.
That said, I love riding and have been at it for 30+ years. I don't think it's any more dangerous now vs decades ago, even with cell phones. There were mostly idiot drivers then, and there are mostly idiot drivers now. At least as far as how many near incidents I see, I don't feel like its getting worse in recent years, it's always been bad! Ride cautiously, be alert, don't do stupid shit, and the risk factor is really not much different than driving imo. Ride like an idiot just because you're on a bike that can hit 0-60 in 2.5 seconds, you'll most likely end up dead soon. I was driving along in my vette the other day and some kid on a sport bike came hauling ass up from behind me, pulled up alongside and was motioning me to race him. And he had a passenger on the back! The roads and scenery out here are extremely beautiful and enjoyable to ride, but it does bring out the racer boys unfortunately. Be smart, wear you gear, enjoy the ride.