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Drivers Fear Driverless Tech

AAA survey finds they favor semiautonomous safety features instead.

February 25, 2025
Drivers Fear Driverless Tech

For several years running, most survey respondents say automakers should prioritize vehicle safety features over self-driving technology.

Credit:

Pexels/Malte Luk

2 min to read


Though slightly more U.S. drivers than last year would trust a car to drive them around, most still fear it and prefer automakers focus on better vehicle safety features.

A AAA study interviewed more than 1,000 drivers in January to assess attitudes toward driverless technology. 

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The survey found that 61% of American drivers are nervous about riding in a self-driving vehicle, down from 66% last year but still a significant barrier to adoption. Twenty-six said they’re unsure about the technology, while just 13% would trust it, up from 9% last year.

Overriding sentiment continued to center on vehicle safety systems for several years running, 78% of survey respondents saying automakers should prioritize those over self-driving vehicle features. Just 13% prioritize self-driving vehicle technology, down from 18% in 2022.

“AAA believes addressing consumer concerns means transparency regarding ADAS performance with clear communication about its limitations,” the nonprofit organization said in a press release on the survey findings. “Advanced vehicle safety technology should enhance driver safety rather than give the impression that the car is driving itself.”

Since companies operating self-driving taxis, or robotaxis, have established service in several major U.S. cities, 74% of survey respondents were aware of them, but 53% said they wouldn’t hail one, though that majority was smaller among millennial and Generation X respondents.

Meanwhile, most drivers want semiautonomous features in their next vehicles: 64% of respondents would “definitely” or “probably” want automatic emergency braking, 62% reverse automatic emergency braking, and 59% lane-keeping assistance, according to the survey.

 

 

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