Majority of American Drivers ‘Afraid’ of ‘Self-Driving’ Cars

Responses to a AAA survey indicate a rising fear of automated vehicles in the wake of high-profile crashes and federal investigations.

1 minute read

March 3, 2023, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Dark blue Tesla with crumpled front bumper on rainy highway with red fire truck in background

canadianPhotographer56 / Tesla vehicle involved in crash

An annual survey from AAA reveals that American drivers are “increasingly apprehensive” about self-driving vehicle technology, with 68 percent of respondents saying they fear the emergent tech. That number is a 13 percent jump from 2022, showing a “dramatic decline in trust” after a series of high-profile crashes in the last year, which also led to California banning the term ‘full self-driving’ and federal officials to issue a recall of over 300,000 Tesla vehicles.

Autonomous vehicles and ‘self-driving’ technology have received wide criticism for being deployed recklessly, including from San Francisco transportation officials and federal regulators.

According to a AAA press release by Brittany Moye, confusion about autonomous vehicles stems in part from the marketing language used by carmakers. “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.” Nearly one in ten “believe they can buy a vehicle that drives itself while they sleep.”

The press release clarifies that fully self-driving vehicles, which do not require human involvement, “are not available for purchase by consumers.”

Thursday, March 2, 2023 in AAA

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Urban sidewalk shaded by large mature trees

Cool Walkability Planning

Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.

June 1, 2023 - Todd Litman

Traffic on the 405 interstate freeway through the Sepulveda Pass at Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California

Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.

The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.

May 30, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

"Welcome to Texas" road sign with Texas flag and "Drive Friendly - the Texas way" slogan

Report: Austin’s State Roads Deadlier Than City Roads

Traffic fatalities and serious injuries grew on state-owned roads in the Texas capital, even as city-owned streets saw death rates plateau.

41 minutes ago - Smart Cities Dive

View from lakeside with green grass and pink blooming flowers

Who Benefits Most from Land Conservation Efforts?

A new study estimates that recent land conservation generated $9.8 billion in wealth nationally through the housing market and that wealthier and White households benefited disproportionately.

1 hour ago - PNAS

Close-up of black parking meter with blurred street in background

Richmond Repeals Parking Minimums, Encourages Off-Street Parking and Transit

The Virginia city is replete with underused off-street parking lots, which city councilors hope to make available for parking at more times while encouraging transit use.

2 hours ago - Next City

Project Manager III

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

UDO Transportation Planner

City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.