Is a Mazda Tribute safe to drive without the ABS?

4 days after an oil change the ABS light came on in my Mazda Tribute.  My
mechanic first changed the alternator.  The car has just over 100K.  The
mechanic says the ABS is bad.  Should he check the speed sensor wiring
(just because I read it here).  The car has driven great in the almost 5
years I have owned it.  I live in a very dry climate.  I have two payments left
on the car.  Is it safe to drive?  Would you want your wife, mother,
daughter, sister driving it?  I actually planed on keeping it another year,
before this happened.