TAMPA, Fla. – A new AAA study revealed that Americans feel unsafe both riding in and sharing the road with self-driving vehicles.
According the the survey, 3 out of every 4 drivers in America feel "afraid" to ride in a self-driving vehicle. Roughly half of drivers feel less safe sharing the road with autonomous vehicles.
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The reasons for not feeling comfortable with this new technology vary. The majority of Americans--84 percent--say they trust their driving more than they trust a self-driving car. Some--60 percent--feel that the technology is too new and unproven, others simply do not want to pay extra for a self- driving car or find it unnecessary.
The survey found that millennials are the least likely to be afraid of a self-driving vehicle while Baby Boomers are the most afraid. The numbers also found that women were more likely to be afraid than men.
As a result of this fear, AAA is urging automakers to gradually introduce this new technology to motorists to keep them informed and help them prepare for the changes ahead.
“Consumers should always educate themselves concerning new car technology to fully understand the pros and cons,” said AAA spokeswoman Montrae Waiters. “The key to consumer acceptance will be education. Autonomous vehicle safety features could potentially save lives.”