Voadam
Legend
Yes, if everything was death traps then only Macguyver, Doctor Who, Sherlock Holmes type concepts would be viable (whether using skilled play or a mechanics character design focus).Obviously you could complain that its a pretty narrow game if it only really supports 'McGuyver' as a character concept (and to a degree classic D&D is a bit like that I suppose). Honestly, classic D&D, IMHO, is a VERY niche game anyhow.
I think though in D&D you are generally supposed to be able to survive triggering traps the way you are supposed to be able to survive being hit by a sword. Usually a pit does 1d6 damage per 10 feet, not bottomless pit forever gone. Not overcoming them imposes a cost in hp and delay and resources, but usually they do not instantly kill when they trigger. So you can choose to be a kick in the door guy who wants to fight monsters and not think through macguyvering problems.