Americans are split on whether self-driving vehicles are safe for those inside them, but majorities see them as a danger to pedestrians and fellow drivers
As we are now 15 years into the millennium, many of us are no doubt wondering why we aren't yet commuting to work via flying car, a la "The Jetsons." While our cars may not be taking flight in the near future, vehicle automation is becoming increasingly prevalent, with many vehicles now equipped with features such as park-assist and adaptive cruise control to aid in everyday driving chores. Some manufacturers have even begun making forays into vehicles that can drive themselves in some capacity, with more on the way. But how do Americans feel about sharing their roads with cars which can get themselves from point A to point B without a human taking the wheel? Recent findings indicate that Americans have yet to come to a consensus on the topic.
When provided with a brief description of self-driving vehicles and an aided list of potential feelings they may have towards the technology, Americans display a wide range of sentiments towards the subject. On one hand, there are many positive reactions to the vehicles. Over one-third (35%) say these vehicles are the future of driving and 24% think they are the designated drivers of the future. Meanwhile, almost one quarter of adults (24%) believe self-driving vehicles are something out of "The Jetsons" cartoon. Just over one-fifth of Americans (22%) say it's a technology they'd love to have and 19% say they're "insanely cool."
But it's not all sunshine and robots, with 34% saying the vehicles are an unnecessary luxury and nearly a third (32%) feeling they're something only rich people could afford. Furthermore, 30% say they're an even lazier way to drive. Then there are those who just don't know what to make of them, with 12% saying they're "confusing."
The peaks and pitfalls
Digging into the specifics, Americans see a number of benefits and drawbacks to the use of self-driving vehicles, when presented with a list of options. Likely benefits include increased fuel economy (30%), more leisure/free time (21%), and increased productivity (18%). It should also be noted, however, that one-quarter (25%) of Americans do not see any benefits to self-driving vehicles.
Looking at the drawbacks, 80% of Americans feel computer "glitches" are a likely downfall of self-driving vehicles. Added costs are a concern as well. Nearly seven-in-ten (69%) feel the vehicles would cost more to service due to increased complexity and 45% say higher insurance costs or an additional "rider" are likely drawbacks. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of Americans also note personal data breaches as a likely drawback. Only 7% of adults don't see any drawbacks to self-driving vehicles.
Safety: saving grace or cause for concern?
There are many safety factors to consider when looking at self-driving vehicles. Are they safe for those inside them? What about for others on the road? Can they make mistakes? Will they prevent accidents? Americans are largely split on implications for those inside them: 48% say self-driving vehicles would be "safe" for this group and 52% say "dangerous." However, Americans edge towards a consensus when thinking of those outside the vehicles. Fifty-seven percent feel self-driving vehicles would be dangerous for other drivers in their proximity and 61% say the same for pedestrians. Matures are especially likely to worry that self-driving vehicles would be dangerous for pedestrians (73% vs. 63% Baby Boomers, 61% Gen X, & 56% Millennials) and other drivers (69% vs. 59%, 57%, & 51%).
And how do Americans rate self-driving vehicles against the average driver? Well, it depends on the activity. Americans have the most confidence when it comes to parallel parking, with 62% expecting that self-driving vehicles are less likely to make an error than human drivers; slightly fewer say the same for parking in a parking lot (56%) and driving on the highway (54%). This confidence dwindles when it comes to driving in a city; in this situation, 57% of Americans say self-driving vehicles will be more likely than the average driver to make an error.
Americans do, however, see some safety-related benefits in these vehicles in the form of fewer accidents and minimizing other driver-induced errors. Over half identify fewer accidents caused by drunk driving (53%) and distracted driving (also 53%) as likely benefits of self-driving vehicles. Half of adults (50%) feel they have a reduced likelihood of speeding tickets and 44% feel there is a reduced likelihood of rear-ending another car. Another potential benefit, seen as likely by 41%, is a reduced likelihood of running a red light.
To buy or not to buy
All things considered, what will it take before Americans will consider purchasing this new technology? Over one-fifth (22%) say they will consider buying/leasing when they believe the "bugs" have been worked out. Seventeen percent say they will consider doing so when self-driving vehicles drop to a price they think is reasonable. This is especially true of Millennials (23% vs. 15% Gen X, 13% Baby Boomers, & 13% Matures). Others say they'll wait until they read or hear positive feedback from people using them (7%), and 17% simply aren't sure what it will take for them to consider buying/leasing.
Most notably, however, a third (33%) say they will never consider buying or leasing a self-driving vehicle. Matures are more likely than all other generations to indicate this (50% vs. 36% Baby Boomers, 36% Gen X, & 22% Millennials).
"Distance drivers" may prove to be the industry's best bet
Americans who drive more than 30 miles a day may be the best target for these new-fangled vehicles for a number of reasons. They are more likely than their counterparts (those driving less than 30 miles a day) to share some positive sentiments towards self-driving vehicles, including feeling they are a technology they would love to have (27% vs. 20%) and that they're "insanely cool" (24% vs. 17%). Those who drive more are also more likely to cite increased productivity as a benefit (23% vs. 17%). Furthermore, they may be more open to buying or leasing one, as they're less likely than lower-distance drivers to say they will never consider purchasing a self-driving vehicle (28% vs. 35%, respectively).
www.nielsen.com
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