New AAA Report Indicates American Drivers Are Warming up to Self-Driving Cars
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Whereas in early 2017, U.S. drivers claimed that they were afraid to ride in a fully self-driving car, AAA’s latest survey indicates that American are starting to gain more confidence about riding in automated vehicles. 78% of participants in last year’s survey claimed hesitation about fully automated cars, while this year, only 63% of participants fell into this category.
The survey also evidenced some other interesting facts about the public’s overall vibe towards this topic:
- Baby Boomers and Generation X drivers tend to feel less safe sharing the road with self-driving cars than millennial drivers.
- Only 49% of millennials report that they would be afraid to ride in a self-driving car, which is an increase from last year’s statistic of 73%.
- Women (73%) are more likely than men (52%) to be afraid to ride in a self-driving vehicle. They’re also more likely to feel less safe when sharing the road with these vehicles (55% compared to 36%).
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According to director Greg Brannon, with AAA Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations, Americans’ caution about self-driving cars seems to be not just about the safety factor but the loss of control element. “AAA found that American drivers are very confident in their driving abilities, which may explain some hesitation to give up full control to a self-driving vehicle. Education, exposure and experience will likely help ease consumer fears as we steer toward a more automated future.”
Granted, it’s still early on in the year, but based on AAA’s survey results, 2018 shows more potential for showing a gradual increase in drivers who more favorable to riding and sharing the road.
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