ant1 - agreed, the increased capabilities of automation has made it much safer.
Airplanes routinuely use RNP/RNAV/FMC approaches into mountainous terrain. EGPWS w/FMC's is priceless, but it has to be backed up with basic situational awareness and the ability to fly the airplane without all the fancy toys.
Knowing when to use, or not use, automation is key. That's where the "Gods of the Glass" comes from - the blind reliance on the 'glass'(ie automation/magic) to save them, as opposed to HOTAS(Hands On Throttles And Stick).