Many Americans Dismayed by Advent of Self-Driving Cars

Even though there are a lot of advantages to autonomous vehicles, many Americans don’t want to give up control of their cars, according to a Kelley Blue Book survey.

Fifty-one percent of those surveyed said they would rather have full control of their cars, even if it makes the roads less safe.

Sixty-three percent of respondents said roads would be safer with fully self-driving cars, and 60 percent said it’s important to share vehicle information to make roadways more efficient. That means 37 percent believe having humans drive is safer and more efficient.

Of the 2,264 people surveyed, 80 percent said they should always have the option to drive themselves, 64 percent said they need to be in control of the car, and 62 percent said they either love to drive or that driving seems like fun (people surveyed ranged in age from 12 to 64).

The survey found that 59 percent of respondents said the best use case for fully autonomous cars is when people have been drinking alcohol. Another 37 percent said it was for senior citizens.

Thirty percent of people said they’d never buy a fully self-driving car, though even more (35 percent) said they would once they become more comfortable with the idea. Sixteen percent said they will buy one the minute they’re available.

Americans are more familiar with the terms “self-driving vehicles” (79 percent) and “driverless vehicles” (70 percent) than “autonomous vehicles” (41 percent).

Six in 10 people either know nothing about driverless cars (25 percent) or little about them (35 percent). Twenty-eight percent know something about them, while 12 percent said they know a lot.

The majority of Americans—62 percent—don’t expect to see fully autonomous cars in their lifetime, though that changes depending on age. Seventy-six percent of Baby Boomers (ages 51 to 64) don’t think they’ll be around when such cars are on the road, while only 33 percent of young Generation Z members (12 to 15) feel the same way.

Most Americans are aware of the first two of five levels of autonomous vehicles. Levels 1 and 2 are here now (offering some automated functionality) and are known by as many as 94 percent of respondents, though there is a drop-off in knowledge about levels 3 (self-driving with some human help), 4 (fully autonomous but with options for human control) and 5 (no option for human driving).

Use cases for Level 3 and 4 cars that some Americans agree with include highway travel (about 41 percent), family travel (about 39 percent), when you’re out of town on vacation or business (36 to 39 percent) and commuting to work or school (about 33 percent).

When forced to choose just one level that most appeals to them, 30 percent of respondents opted for Level 4 cars, followed by Level 2. Surprisingly, Level 5 cars most appealed to 17 percent of respondents. Level 1 vehicles were lowest, with 11 percent.

What’s keeping people from being more enthusiastic about self-driving cars (Levels 3, 4 and 5)? There’s costs (they’ll be too expensive to buy or fix), security (software hacks or failure) and comfort (drivers who trust themselves more than technology or wouldn’t be able to relax with a computer driving).

The key is proving that the autonomous vehicles are safe, respondents said. In addition, if the cars are in their price range, a drop in insurance rates and tax breaks could help. People also want to be able to test the cars without being committed to buying anything.

Fifty-four percent of those who own Level 2 cars believe people should always have the option to drive themselves, while 85 percent of those who don’t own Level 2 cars agree.

Forty-eight percent of what Kelley Blue Book calls Young Gen Z members—ages 12 to 15—are comfortable letting a car drive them without their intervention. That compares with 36 percent of all respondents. Thirty-eight percent of Young Gen Z members said they found Level 5 cars most appealing. By contrast, 9 percent of Baby Boomers felt the same way.

Half of people who own luxury cars are comfortable with the idea of fully autonomous cars with no human option, and 64 percent believe they’re safer. That compares with 31 percent of non-luxury car owners in their comfort level, and 45 percent who believe they’re safer.