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A new report from AAA reveals that the majority of U.S. drivers seek autonomous technologies in their next vehicle, but they continue to fear the fully self-driving car. Despite the prospect that autonomous vehicles will be safer, more efficient and more convenient than their human-driven counterparts, three-quarters of U.S. drivers report feeling afraid to ride in a self-driving car, and only 10 percent report that they'd actually feel safer sharing the roads with driverless vehicles. As automakers press forward in the development of autonomous vehicles, AAA urges the gradual, safe introduction of these technologies to ensure that American drivers are informed, prepared and comfortable with this shift in mobility.
"A great race towards autonomy is underway and companies are vying to introduce the first driverless cars to our roadways," said Greg Brannon, AAA's director of Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations. "However, while U.S. drivers are eager to buy vehicles equipped with autonomous technology, they continue to fear a fully self-driving vehicle."
n 2016, a AAA survey found that three-quarters of Americans reported feeling afraid to ride in a self-driving car. One year later, a new AAA survey found that fear is unchanged. While the majority are afraid to ride in a fully self-driving vehicle, the latest survey also found that the majority (59%) of Americans are keen to have autonomous features in their next vehicle. This marked contrast suggests that American drivers are ready embrace autonomous technology, but they are not yet ready to give up full control.
"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," continued Brannon. "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."
Source: http://newsroom.aaa.com/2017/03/americans-feel-unsafe-sharing-road-fully-self-driving-cars/
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Monday March 13 2017, @01:29PM (4 children)
You can't trust American drivers. Men point at women, women point at men, older people blame kids, and kids blame old people - but fact is, Americans can't pay attention to the road. We have a huge population of ADHD people, licensed to drive.
In recent weeks, I have had a greater number of people than usual trying to drive in my lane, instead of the oncoming lane. WTF are people DOING, why can't they keep their own car in their own lane?
(Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Monday March 13 2017, @02:21PM
I'd wager phones. Little over a year ago I watched a young girl plow into an older man crossing the street at night on christmas eve. He was in serious pain and a passer by and myself had to move him out of the street following the 911 dispatchers orders. I could have sworn I saw the white glow of a screen in her hand just as she turned into him. Told the cop that but there wasn't much proof. She did get a hefty summons for reckless driving. Also see lots of swerving cars and once you pass them you see they have a fucking phone in their hand.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 13 2017, @03:41PM
Indeed, American drivers are so bad that the authorities in the US decided to make walking on the side of the street illegal for safety reasons.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by snufu on Monday March 13 2017, @05:47PM (1 child)
I feel much safer near autonomous cars then those with a primate behind the wheel. Ten minutes on any freeway and you will see numerous dangerous actions by humans that autonomous vehicles would never do. Speeding? Never happen. Cutting off and weaving while speeding? Never happen. Tailgating? Never happen. Texting? Never happen. Sleeping? Never happen. General road rage? Never happen.
Road traffic accidents in the U.S.: 32,000 people killed per year, 2.6 million injured per year. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/accidental-injury.htm [cdc.gov]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 13 2017, @07:18PM
Yes, but most of that is predictable and there's somebody that's responsible. An AI car isn't predictable using the usual patterns and we don't have a good record of holding computer companies responsible for anything.