Self-Driving Car Poll Shows Most Still Afraid to Ride Along

A new AAA poll found about three-fourths of Americans are afraid to ride in a self-driving car but that most want some autonomous technologies in their next vehicle.

The poll’s findings showed 78 percent of those surveyed were fearful about using self-driving technology, about the same margin professing that fear in last year’s survey, according to USA Today.

But while most were fearful of riding in a fully self-driving car, a majority of 59 percent said they did want autonomous technologies in the next car they purchased.

“U.S. drivers may experience the driver assistance technologies in their cars today and feel they don’t work consistently enough to replace a human driver — and they’re correct,” AAA director of Automative Engineering and Industry Relations Greg Brannon said in a statement, Motortrend reported. “While these technologies will continue to improve over time, it’s important that consumers understand that today’s systems require your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.”

Autonomous features currently available for vehicles include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, self-parking technology, and lane-keeping systems.

Although many drivers are open to these technologies, 54 percent polled said they felt less safe about sharing the road with self-driving cars, with only 10 percent feeling more safe.

AAA believes education may make more drivers comfortable with self-driving car technology, stating “connected and automated vehicle technologies have the potential to dramatically reduce” the 35,000 deaths that occur each year on American roads, Motortrend reported.

• Self-Driving Cars: Michigan Becomes First State to Pass Legislation
• Uber Self-Driving Cars to Ferry Pittsburgh Customers in Coming Weeks