Agreed. The myriad soccer moms yammering on cell phones could not drive if they had to pay attention to something else.
Never had an auto as a daily driver for about fifty years of driving. Did have a Chevy van with an auto, but that was only an occasional hauler.
My little 5spd WRX wagon does go in for a 81k mile clutch replacement Monday. Turbos are clutch killers I have found if you mess up with too much throttle/boost and not enough clutch disengagement.
Vehicular deaths would fall precipitously if automatics were banned.