all of this comes down to an appraisal of risk. the guy sitting in the act radio centre has been bought up on a steady diet of safety culture.
to me the safety culture totally overstates the risks involved.
I maintain my aircraft so that it doesnt fail.
I am quite prepared to fly the aircraft a thousand miles over the remotest parts of australia because I maintain the aeroplane and I have absolutely precise navigation (GPS).
I have never filed a flight plan since my training and I never will because there is actually no need.
much of this flight following guff came about when aircraft were unreliable, instrument flying in its infancy, and navigation was by P2 compass. the world has moved on.