by

Chuck Martin , January 26, 2018

More consumers are starting to warm to the idea of self-driving vehicles, but most still fear riding in one.

The majority (63%) of U.S. drivers are afraid to ride in a fully self-driving vehicle, a decrease from 78% a year ago, according to the annual AAA survey of 1,000 U.S. drivers.

There were some demographic differences.

Millennials were found to be the most trusting, with 49% afraid to ride in a self-driving vehicle, down from 73% a year ago, while the majority (68%) of baby boomers are afraid, down from 85% a year ago.

More women (73%) than men (52%) are likely to be afraid to ride in a self-driving vehicle.

“Americans are starting to feel more comfortable with the idea of self-driving vehicles,” stated Greg Brannon, AAA automotive engineering and industry relations director. “Compared to just a year ago, AAA found that 20 million more U.S. drivers would trust a self-driving vehicle to take them for a ride.”

Fewer than a third (28%) of drivers would trust a self-driving vehicle and 9% are unsure.

For sharing the road with self-driving vehicles, 37% said it makes no difference, 13% would feel safer and 4% are unsure.

MediaPost.com: Search Marketing Daily

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