Commentary

71% Of Americans Afraid To Ride In Self-Driving Vehicles

Most people are still afraid to ride in a self-driving vehicle and they don’t appear to be less afraid over time.

Consumers don’t expect self-driving cars anytime soon, with 55% of U.S. drivers estimating that it will take until 2029 for most cars to have the ability to drive themselves.

These are among the findings of the annual AAA study of consumer attitudes on self-driving vehicles, comprising a telephone survey of 1,000 U.S. adults weighted to mirror the general population.

Seven in 10 (71%) consumers would be afraid to ride in a fully self-driving vehicle.

The current fear level is similar to the last study in April 2018, when 73% of American drivers said they would be too afraid to ride in a fully self-driving vehicles, which was an increase from 63% in late 2017 and a slight decrease from 75% in 2016.

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Of those who don’t expect cars will be able to drive themselves in 10 years, the most common reasons are that people will not trust them (53%), will not want to give up driving themselves (52%), expect the technology will not be ready (34%) and road conditions will not be good enough (33%).

However, for shorter trips, the majority (53%) of consumers would be comfortable with self-driving vehicles being used for people-mover systems found at airports and theme parks.

Many (44%) also would be comfortable using self-driving vehicles for deliveries of food or packages.

For transporting their children or loved ones, 19% would be comfortable with a self-driving vehicle being used.

2 comments about "71% Of Americans Afraid To Ride In Self-Driving Vehicles".
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  1. R MARK REASBECK from www.USAonly.US , March 14, 2019 at 9:32 p.m.

    Do I really need to leave a comment?  YES.  it's not "fear" , it's COMMON SENSE. people who live in over cowded cities, are used to taxi's, buses, subways, rick-shaws or whatever transportation that someone else is driving.  The rest of the country, enjoys driving, it's freedom, and knows what a dumb idea it is to put your trust in a computer program for safety and transportation !!!  Hmmmm 19% trust their kids being transported by NO Driver vehicles.....................kinda says it all. 
    Billions and Billions of dollars spent to produce a "grocery cart"  (Gro-cart)????
    Doesn't sound like a sound investment , but tech-terds, march on.

  2. Ed Papazian from Media Dynamics Inc, March 18, 2019 at 7:36 a.m.

    In surveys such as this macho types are reluctant to admit that they are fearful about riding in driverless cars so many of them say they aren't when, in reality, they are. The real figure is probably 95%.

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