I have a question, are there no driving rules, or are they just ignored? I know the Russian authorities are - supposed to be - very strict when it comes to driving under the influence, but is that it?
Answering. There are traffic rules, and people usually obey them (at least the basic ones).
And if you see loads of crash videos from Russia (or Ukraine, Belarus, etc.) taken by dash cameras, it doesn't mean those roads just consist of crashes, stupid drivers, etc. Because what you see is crashes, and you don't see annoying normal everyday driving, the majority of what those dash cameras actually record.
You see a lot of crashes from Russia simply because a lot of them were recorded. Dash cams (we call them "video-registrators") are very popular there. My family has two cars (Audi Q5 and Fiat 500) and both are equipped with them.
In your country, I guess that police doesn't have fun with blaming drivers on infractions they haven't done. Unlike Russia. If you have a dash cam, you can show a video from it to a cop telling you "You just drove on the red light, you're fined 1000 rubles" and say "No, I didn't, so **** off." It can also prove your innocence after a crash when it's questionable.
But in what you think about Russian roads, there is some sort of truth. They have some specific dangerous traits that can be divided in a few different categories (order by actuality):
1. Stupid/crazy/drunk/sleeping drivers
2. Road conditions (this country has no roads, only directions!)
3. Stupid/crazy/drunk pedestrians
4. Ancient vehicles in bad condition, running by some miracle and suddenly losing their brakes or wheels
5. Drivers who use summer tires to drive on snow and ice. Similar to points 4 and 1.
6. Wild animals (like mooses or even bears). However, I guess it's common for Australia as well, just the animals are smaller.
7. Cargo falling from trucks (Final Destination!).
When I get back home (I'm using my phone now), I'll tell more about each one.