Drivers say they want better vehicle safety systems over self-driving cars.
Americans grew slightly less wary of self-driving vehicles over the past year, but an overwhelming majority still don’t trust riding in one, according to the latest AAA survey on autonomous vehicles.
Just 13 percent of U.S. drivers indicated they’d feel safe riding in a self-driving or autonomous vehicle (AV). That’s up from last year, when nine percent of drivers said they’d be comfortable. Despite the slight increase, 6 in 10 drivers still report being afraid to get into a vehicle that drives itself.
For drivers, enhancing vehicle safety systems remains the priority — 78 percent of survey respondents listed advancements in safety systems as a top vehicle technology initiative. In contrast, the development of self-driving vehicles is a low priority as only 13 percent of drivers expressed interest in AV technology.
“Most drivers are interested in advanced technology to enhance safety but still want to maintain control over their vehicles,” said Robert Sinclair of AAA Northeast. “When it comes to gaining consumer trust in self-driving vehicles, automakers face a long road ahead and as vehicle technology continues to evolve, educating consumers on safety standards is paramount.”
Robotaxis — self-driving vehicles used for taxi and ride-hail services — operate in several major cities. AAA’s survey found that 74 percent of drivers were aware of robotaxis, but more than half (53 percent) said they would choose not to ride in one.
Interest in advanced driver assistance features (ADAS) continues to remain high. The survey found that 64 percent of U.S. drivers would “definitely” or “probably” want Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) on their next vehicle, 62 percent would want Reverse Automatic Emergency Braking, and 59 percent would want Lane Keeping Assistance. AAA advocates for a standard body of names for these systems to accurately describe their capabilities, limitations and to reduce consumer confusion.
AAA has conducted various tests to determine if the technology performs as expected. Research released by AAA in October 2024 showed significant AEB advancements, particularly at speeds up to 35 mph.
AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing more than 6.5 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, finance and auto-related services.
