Fear of Self-Driving Vehicles Isn't Going Away

If you are concerned about the safety and capabilities of self-driving passenger vehicles, including robotaxis, you are not alone.

A new AAA survey about autonomous vehicles shows that our opinions have not changed in five years, despite advances in the technology.

An astounding 87% of those responding are skeptical about so-called semi-autonomous features, which include – literally – taking over the wheel and/or brakes when the vehicle’s cameras and computer recognize it’s unsafe to change lanes or you are getting too close to the vehicle ahead.

AAA graphic showing 83% of public is concerned about safety of self-driving vehicles_ecoxplorer.com — AAA graphic

53% reported they would not ride in a driverless robotaxi, such as those now in use in cities including San Francisco and Phoenix.

According to AAA’s latest survey on autonomous vehicles, 13% of U.S. drivers would trust riding in self-driving vehicles – an increase from last year, when this number was 9%.

Despite this slight increase, 6 in 10 U.S. drivers still report being afraid to ride in a self-driving vehicle. For drivers, enhancing vehicle safety systems remains a priority over the development of self-driving, with interest among drivers decreasing from 18% in 2022 to 13% this year.

Improving safety systems is important for U.S. drivers—78% prioritize advancements in safety systems as a top vehicle technology initiative—which has been steady for the past several years. In contrast, the excitement surrounding new vehicle styles is a low priority, with only 24% of drivers viewing it as important.

Enthusiasm is also low toward the development of self-driving vehicles—only 13% of drivers consider this a priority, a decrease from 18% in 2022.

AAA graphic of study on driver attitudes toward self-driving vehicles_ecoxplorer.com — AAA graphic

Fear of Robotaxis

As of 2025, Robotaxis, self-driving vehicles used like a taxi or ride-share, operate in several major cities. AAA’s survey found that 74% of drivers were aware of Robotaxis, yet 53% said they would not choose to ride in one.

Different demographics have varying opinions. Millennial and Generation X drivers are more likely to say they would ride in one than Baby Boomer drivers, but even among younger drivers, most say they wouldn’t ride in a Robotaxi.

Collectively, interest in advanced driver assistance features (ADAS) continues to remain high. The survey found that 64% of U.S. drivers would “definitely” or “probably” want Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) on their next vehicle, 62% would want Reverse Automatic Emergency Braking, and 59% Lane Keeping Assistance.

AAA believes that to maintain a growing interest in these features, the performance and naming of these systems must adequately reflect the intended benefits and capabilities of the systems.
AAA believes addressing consumer concerns means transparency regarding ADAS performance with clear communication about its limitations. Advanced vehicle safety technology should enhance driver safety rather than give the impression that the car is driving itself.

As these systems have been refined with upgraded software and sensors, AAA has conducted various tests to determine if the technology performs as expected. Research released by AAA in October 2024 showed significant AEB advancements, particularly at speeds up to 35 mph.

AAA Resources:

Clearing the Confusion: Provides naming and descriptions of ADAS in a consistent, easy-to-understand manner.
ADAS Repair Costs: Fixing Advanced Vehicle Systems Makes Up Over One-Third of Repair Costs Following a Crash.

Methodology

The survey was conducted January 9-13, 2025, using a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population overall. The panel provides sample coverage of approximately 97% of the U.S. household population. Most surveys were completed online; consumers without Internet access were surveyed over the phone.

A total of 1,095 interviews were completed among U.S. adults, 18 years of age or older, of which 888 qualified for the study. The margin of error for the study overall is 4.4% at the 95% confidence level. Smaller subgroups have larger error margins.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.