DB - Please don't forget that not every aspect of aviation is governed by public transport regulations - they exist to protect members of the public who are considered to be 'unaware' of risks associated with aviation. Because of this Public Transport Regulations such as the now defunct JAR OPS 3 were evolved.
There's a lot of flying that is not PT though! Even some of the North Sea boys fly around in the avoid curve lifting flare stacks etc.
HEMS was also PT at times. when I flew HEMS, given our operating area, it was near on impossible not to be in the avoid curve at times - sometimes it is safer to hang about at a height in the avoid curve to check the landing area was clear than dropping in quick, risking lamp posts and wires to avoid operating in the avoid curve! Or your departure may be straight up and out as the site was not suited to a Helipad or Clear Area departure.
Crab - couldn't agree with you more - people will always continue to die in WHATEVER they do because every day is an exposure to risk. All we can do is manage risk but accept it at the same time - if we don't accept there is a risk then we are less likely to be aware of it!
Introducing MORE paperwork and MORE rules is not always the right approach - you just end up flying around worrying about what you've forgotten - and then you might hit those wires whilst flying a Performance Class 3 departure through a wide enough gap in the trees (the trees that hide the poles).
But then a vertical departure may hit wires above you. Arrghhh - what to do. Crikey, crumbs, I should just give up flying. Oh no, wait a minute. Clear head, sensible mindset, take your time, have a good look around and DON'T take anything for granted.