Most Americans Don’t Trust Self-Driving Cars

US traffic fatalities have topped 40,000 for the last three years in a row. While this is alarming, a new study finds that the vast majority of people in California and across the country aren’t ready to turn to autonomous vehicles for help. In fact, more Americans are afraid of self-driving vehicles than ever before.

AAA surveyed Americans about their feelings on self-driving cars and found that 71 percent would be afraid to ride in an autonomous vehicle. In 2017, only 63 percent of Americans said they would avoid self-driving cars. According to AAA, the reason for the increase in fear is that autonomous cars have been involved in several deadly accidents in recent years. For example, in March 2018, an autonomous Uber car hit and killed a woman as she crossed a dark street in Arizona. In the same month, a Tesla driver was killed in Mountain View when he placed his car in “autopilot” mode and crashed.

Even though self-driving cars make most Americans nervous, approximately 55 percent of those surveyed believe that the majority of US cars will be autonomous by 2029. That said, a significant portion of people think that’s too soon. AAA found that the top reasons that people are skittish about self-driving cars are lack of trust, a reluctance to give up driving and concerns that American roads aren’t ready to handle autonomous technology. However, the motor club thinks that Americans will warm up to self-driving cars as they learn more about the technology’s abilities and limitations.

California residents who are injured in car accidents caused by another party could have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for damages. A successful suit could lead to a settlement that covers medical expenses, pain and suffering and other accident-related losses. Victims could learn more by speaking to an attorney about their case.