Problem with attribute system was that all characters eventually ended up the same regardless of their racial traits.
A Nord/Orc with 50 in axe should always be better than an Altmer with 50 in axe.
Considering TW1's penchant for crashing, it's for the better that saves aren't automatically overwritten. If the game crashes while saving, you'd lose the savegame and all your progress.
I'm half-way through Chapter 3 of the Witcher, again trudging through the swamps which are now not only crawling with bloedzuigers, drowners and drowned dead, but also kikimores.
Importing an endgame save to the sequel better be worth it.