Recently it has been possible with the aid of satellite for the air crew to determine the exact position of an airplane at all times by its location relative to navigation satellites. In fact, pilotless airplanes are possible and have been for quite some. Nearly all these communications take place by various radio signals. Today computers integrate the set of radio signals for location, beacons, the airplanes own radar, etc. to provide a complete set of operational data for the pilot, including air speed, pitch and altitude of the airplane , and whether or not the airplane is too close to the ground or another airplane. All of this effort is designed to make air travel safer.
Automobile safety involves a different set of technologies and issues.
America was enamored of the automobile. Chrome and power was what seemed to attract the buying public. The Mustang, Camaro and other cars of that era are valued even today by collectors for their large powerful engines. The 'traffic light grand prix' or drag strip was the thrill of most drivers of the period. Image was defined by how fast you could accelerate from that traffic light.