Vast majority of Americans afraid of self-driving

[voyager]

A recent study from the American Automobile Association suggests it might be more serious than that. The vast majority of surveyed Americans admitted to being “afraid” of riding in an autonomous vehicle while over half said they felt less safe at the prospect of sharing the road with driverless technology.

The Average American is Seriously Afraid of Autonomous Cars

 

[bhzmark]

Those same people cause all the accidents.

Study: Driverless cars could save US $300B a year

 

[voyager]

Those same people cause all the accidents.

Study: Driverless cars could save US $300B a year

"Could"... But will they? When it comes to traffic safety and safety perception, systems need to prove themselves firstly.

 

[calisnow]

Mountain out of a molehill. Perceptions will inevitably change as more folks are exposed to autopilot and beyond. :shrugs:

 

[malcolm]

Uh huh.

Until autonomous systems start reducing insurance premiums.

Then suddenly everyone will announce that they love it.

 

[Nosken]

About 2 years ago, Elon said that people won't accept Autonomous driving, until it proven to be 10 times safer. With the NHTSA study showing AP1 and Colision avoundance is 40% safer, we are in the way.

 

[David29]

Some members of my family are not even keen on the (limited) self-driving functionality in my AP1 Model S.

 

[ecarfan]

People are often afraid of something completely new to them, so the results of that survey do not surprise me.

 

[bhzmark]

Until autonomous systems start reducing insurance premiums.

Then suddenly everyone will announce that they love it.

Tesla owners are already getting insurance discounts for using Autopilot

 

[Sasmania]

I don't care what any poll says now. The tide will turn so fast once FSD is out and the suckers driving old ICE cars are watching those in a Tesla read a book, taking a nap, texting or otherwise completely relaxing while they are pulling their hair out at rush hour traffic.

And guess what, you can still grab the wheel and drive when you actually want to....but I'm guessing it will turn into FSD 80% or more of the time for most drivers once it's proven safe. Maybe less on the P versions

I also wonder how fast the laws will change in regards to DUIs? I would hope that as long as you are not in the drivers seat and don't touch the controls, you would be allowed to have the car drive you home without penalty...

 

[croman]

You can get a DUI in my state for sleeping on the side of the road in the back seat. You can get DUI for smoking pot a month before getting in the car.

 

[Sasmania]

You can get a DUI in my state for sleeping on the side of the road in the back seat.

That's what is crazy. You are smart enough to not be driving, yet still get the same penalty as someone who was swerving all over the road. How does that make sense?

 

[croman]

That's what is crazy. You are smart enough to not be driving, yet still get the same penalty as someone who was swerving all over the road. How does that make sense?

It depends on your intent. How did you get there? Did you leave your keys in the ignition? This becomes a lot more complicated with a car without an on off switch or ignition.

Further while the crime is similar, the punishment likely won't be.