Self-driving cars are making most people in Florida and across the U.S. apprehensive. AAA conducted a survey at the start of 2020 asking motorists if they would feel safe riding in such a vehicle, and only 12% answered that they would. In addition, 28% also said they don’t know what to think about the technology. What respondents said they wanted to know and what they said would relieve their doubts about self-driving cars should be carefully noted by automakers.
One thing the survey made clear was that consumers want tangible information and specific news items relating to self-driving cars. Fifty-seven percent of respondents wanted to know just who would be held responsible in an accident with a self-driving car. Fifty-one percent were curious about the laws that would go to make these cars safe while 49% were concerned about whether the cars can be easily hacked into.
There were four main things that would help drivers feel safer in a fully automated car. First was the ability to take control of the car in emergencies (72% of respondents brought this up). Second was the presence of a human back-up driver (69%), followed by stringent tests and inspections (47%). Forty-two percent said they would be reassured if they saw or participated in a demonstration before entering the vehicle.
While it may be a decade before self-driving cars are a reality, there are enough problems with semi-autonomous cars that need to be worked out. For example, the features in these cars have made many a negligent driver crash, the reason being that their abilities are overestimated. Those who are hurt by a driver who was lulled by new tech may be able to file a claim against that driver’s auto insurance company with the help of an attorney.
