USA TODAY US Edition

AAA: Drivers show more confidence in self-driving cars

- Chris Woodyard

Americans are starting to lose some of their hesitation­s when it comes to cars that can drive themselves, a new AAA study finds.

While a majority of drivers still say they’d be afraid to ride in a self-driving car, the percentage has taken a significan­t drop from early last year, the national travel organizati­on says.

In the new survey, 63% of U.S. drivers say they’re fearful of taking a spin in a fully self-driving car. A year ago, the figure was 78%. That equates to 20 million more people who are now more comfortabl­e with the idea.

“The decline is definitely noteworthy,” says Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineerin­g for AAA, based in Orlando. The study comes as automakers and tech giants alike are rushing to develop self-driving cars. They could go on sale within five years.

Brannon said motorists are more willing to trust self-driving cars when they see the benefits of new high-tech safety gear, systems that are precursors to fully autonomous vehicles.

“There are many more vehicles on the road with advanced driver systems like automatic emergency braking or adaptive cruise control,” Brannon says. “People (who have) experience with these technologi­es are 75% more likely to trust them.”

AAA’s findings are based on a telephone survey of 1,004 American adults in December. The margin of error is estimated at plus or minus 3%.

Perhaps not surprising­ly, AAA found Millennial­s have the greatest faith in cars that drive themselves. About half of Millennial­s said they are hesitant about self-driving cars.

 ?? FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILE­S ?? Self-driving cars could go on sale within five years.
FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILE­S Self-driving cars could go on sale within five years.

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