They are very much a problem still, I've punctured a tire recently (the expansive puncture-resistant one). That's after several punctures last year (but that was on a regular old tires, that's why I switched). Before you ask - it's not a problem with the wheel or anything, I've had it checked.
I've never had a flat tire in the countryside trips, though. It's always on broken glass some jerks throw at bike lanes in bigger cities.
Also probably the fact I'm overweight is a factor.
BTW when I was about 7 I had a small bike with full-rubber tires. It was great, I wonder why it's not done for full-size bikes. It wasn't THAT much heavier.
