Though American drivers prefer driving vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, they remain highly skeptical of self-driving technology, according to a recent AAA survey.
When it comes to fully self-driving vehicles, 66% of drivers reported that it made them fearful, while 25% expressed uncertainty about it.
This apprehension does not extend to other automated features, though. Almost two-thirds of drivers said they would prefer their next vehicle to have reverse automatic emergency braking (65%) automatic emergency braking (63%), or lane-keeping assistance (62%).
Much of these sentiments may be based on a poor understanding of current automotive technology, as most drivers believe that automatic emergency braking (AEB) will stop the car if another car or person is behind or in front of the vehicle.
This is a stark contrast to recent AAA research, which found that reverse AEB prevented a collision in only 1 of 40 test runs where a car was backing up while another vehicle was behind it. In scenarios with a stationary child behind the car, AEB only came through in 10 out of 20 test runs.
Additionally, four in ten drivers reported being either unsure or thinking they could buy a vehicle that drives itself while the driver sleeps–which is not something currently available on the market to consumers. It reveals a gap between what current automotive technology actually offers, and the understanding consumers have of it.
“By working together, we can assist consumers in understanding the technology present in their vehicles and educate them on how, when and where to use such systems properly,” said AAA’s Director of Automotive Engineering Research, Greg Brannon. “This initiative will help instill confidence in the drivers of the cars of tomorrow with greater levels of automated technologies.”
