Well for now I've dropped the subject. I know she is correct. If there is even a .00001% chance of something terrible happening I shouldn't be doing it, at least not now. I do think it would make a statement to my kids, something about bravery and confronting fear but I'll find another way to make that message.
My wife did admit that once the kids are older (high school) then the ramifications of an accident would be less and she would probably feed better about it. Then I suggested that I could wait a little longer than that even and take our twins for their 18th birthday - that didn't go over well but that will be a family discussion discussion 14 years from now.
THANK YOU all, this community was far more helpful than I ever could have expected!