ORLANDO, Fla. — A new AAA study on automated vehicles found that a majority of Americans are afraid of the highly-advanced machines, even though they were interested in the technology that powers them.
The study notes that so far this year, there has been a major increase in drivers who are afraid, rising to 68% as compared to 55% in 2022.
This is a 13% jump from last year’s survey and the biggest increase since 2020, according to AAA.
AAA officials say they believe automakers must be diligent in creating an environment that promotes the use of more advanced vehicle technologies in a secure, reliable and educational manner. This includes the consistent naming of vehicle systems available to consumers today.
“We were not expecting such a dramatic decline in trust from previous years,” said Greg Brannon, director of automotive research for AAA. “Although with the number of high-profile crashes that have occurred from over-reliance on current vehicle technologies, this isn’t entirely surprising.”
Even with advancements made in recent years, AAA noted that “these findings suggest improvements are still needed to build public trust and knowledge surrounding emerging vehicle technology. There is also a need to dispel confusion around automated vehicles. AAA’s survey found that nearly one in ten drivers believe they can buy a vehicle that drives itself while they sleep. Currently, there is no such vehicle available for purchase by the public that would allow someone to fully disengage from the task of driving.”
This perception could stem from misleading or confusing names of vehicle systems that are on the market, the study suggests.
AAA found that 22% of Americans expect driver support systems with names like Autopilot, ProPILOT or Pilot Assist to have the ability to drive the car by itself without any supervision, indicating a gap in consumer understanding.
What are Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)?
Consumers aren’t entirely opposed to advanced vehicle technology, according to the study. In fact, six in 10 U.S. drivers would “definitely” or “probably” want these systems in their next car purchase.
Examples of ADAS include blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
Active driving assistance (ADA) is also considered ADAS; however, it differs in functionality from other systems.
ADA combines braking, accelerating, and steering through a combined use of adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance. This technology actively assists the driver versus other ADAS that only turns on when needed. ADA is also the only ADAS classified as Level 2 automation as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers.
What is a fully self-driving vehicle?
A vehicle capable of operating without human involvement. A human driver is not required to control the vehicle at any time, nor required to be present in the vehicle while moving. These vehicles are not available for purchase by consumers and are classified as Level 5 automation as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers.
Methodology
The survey was conducted Jan. 13-17, 2023, using a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population overall. The panel provides sample coverage of approximately 97% of the U.S. household population. Most surveys were completed online; consumers without Internet access were surveyed over the phone.
A total of 1,140 interviews were completed among U.S. adults, 18 years of age or older, of which 949 qualified for the study.
The margin of error for the study overall is 4.3% at the 95% confidence level. Smaller subgroups have larger error margins.
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
So the self driving trucks, Will they drive the human driver’s to the welfare line?
Ray C.
Ashford,Al.
Self driving trucks will never happen. Weather will take care of that.
This not we the Truckers are “afraid”….we not in fear we are questioning the program….all you have to look at CEO in the airline industry with programs build into the steering of the 737 that would allow for NO correction by the pilot….look at driver less cars that have killed and injured people .with the observer in the car and he could not do anything to prevent it….Please we as truck Drivers do NOT get respect to beginning…what makes them think they will understand our feed back….they lie about Statistic…too get money for their failed experiment on the public…as long all the Driving trucker pay for it with HIGHER insurance rates …Why don’t they Give us OUR STEERING WHEEL BACK and our navigation system easy to use signs that match the road signs better signs that match direction…are you listening (NJ) .. how about Tesla with denying steering away from a drivers final destination, to get to a power station…how about just ask for permission ….we as a nation Are loosing power to STEER…..we have are loosing FREEDOM
when you have a fagget as head of transportation and the rest of the lawmakers as registered Idiots, the trucking industry has real problems. The regulations on the trucking industry has caused a disaster. It takes THREE trucks ,today, to do what one could do twenty years ago. It has made the roads less safe
I stopped driving a self braking truck as it would hard brake with snowflakes. 50% speed reduction will decapitate those tailgating.