U.S. Drivers Warming Up to Fully-Autonomous Cars
Drivers in the U.S. are beginning to embrace autonomous vehicles, with the percentage of American drivers afraid to ride in self-driving vehicles dropping significantly from a previous report by AAA.

Developers of autonomous driving systems still face the challenge of winning the public's trust in the evolving technology. Photo courtesy of Waymo.

Developers of autonomous driving systems still face the challenge of winning the public's trust in the evolving technology. Photo courtesy of Waymo.
Drivers in the U.S. are beginning to embrace autonomous vehicles, with the percentage of American drivers afraid to ride in self-driving vehicles dropping significantly from a previous report by AAA.
The annual survey from AAA found that 63% of drivers in the U.S. report feeling afraid to ride in fully-autonomous vehicles, which is a decrease from the 78% reported in early 2017, according to AAA. Male drivers and millennials are the most trusting of self-driving technology; only half reported being afraid of the technology. The study found that 52% of men would be afraid to ride in a self-driving vehicle.
“Americans are starting to feel more comfortable with the idea of self-driving vehicles,” AAA Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations Director Greg Brannon said. “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.”
Meanwhile, 13% of U.S. Drivers said they would feel safer sharing the road with autonomous vehicles, and 46% reported said they would feel less safe. For the remainder, 37% said they are indifferent to the technology and 4% are unsure with how they feel.
In the recent survey, 73% of women said they are afraid to ride in a self-driving vehicle, and more likely to feel less safe sharing the road with autonomous vehicles.
Millennials are the most trusting of self-driving vehicles, with only 49% reporting that they would be afraid to ride in self-driving vehicles, down from the previously reported 73%, according to a report from AAA. About 68% of baby boomers still report being afraid to ride in autonomous vehicles. The generation is significantly more comfortable with the idea than they were a year ago, when 85% reported being afraid.
The study also found that Generation X drivers are more likely than millennial drivers to feel less safe sharing the road with autonomous vehicles.
More Safety

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night
This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.
Read More →
IIHS Crash Avoidance Tests Reveal Safety Gaps in Cargo Vans and Work Trucks
New IIHS crash avoidance ratings show uneven performance among cargo vans and heavy-duty pickups, with most struggling to avoid vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.
Read More →
What’s Next for Fleet? Safety, AI & Industry Recognition | AF News Recap
Could your company's culture be encouraging distracted driving? This week, we're exploring how workplace expectations affect driver safety, what AI, EVs, and autonomous vehicles could mean for the future of fleet management, and how fleet professionals can strengthen their award nominations.
Read More →
Does Your Fleet's Culture Encourage Distracted Driving?
What happens when the people responsible for enforcing safety rules are the ones setting the wrong example? The answer may reveal why some of the biggest risks to fleet drivers have little to do with what's written in the employee handbook.
Read More →
Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity
Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.
Read More →
From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap
Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.
Read More →
Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset
Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.
Read More →
Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program
For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.
Read More →
How Camera Data Can Strengthen a Fleet’s Insurance Renewal
Insights from a commercial insurance carrier and a broker show how fleets can turn video telematic data, driver coaching, and improved claims results into a stronger case at insurance renewal.
Read More →
The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology
You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.
Read More →