Americans Split on Sharing the Road with Driverless Vehicles
As cars and trucks move toward a more autonomous future, Americans are highly polarized as to whether to accept or reject them on the road, according to a study by American International Group, inc (AIG).
According to AIG’s survey, forty-one percent of respondents are uncomfortable with the idea of sharing the road with driverless vehicles, while 42 percent are poised to embrace the innovative technology.
The primary concern surrounding driverless vehicles is safety.
While three fourths of survey respondents expressed concerns about the risk of hacking, and how a cyber breach could expose important personal data, only a fourth of participants believe that dirverless vehicles would not operate more safely than the average human.
The main perceived benefits around driverless vehicles include: the increased ease of transportation; improved road safety; and lowered insurance costs.
Overall, as more partially or fully autonomous vehicles hit the road, respondents see responsibility for accidents shifting away from individual drivers and more toward the auto manufacturers and software developers that enable the autonomous technology.
“Understanding consumer perceptions of where risk with new technology ultimately resides today will help industry and insurers understand where liability may lie tomorrow,” says Lex Baugh, President, Liability and Financial Lines at AIG.
“The need for personal auto insurance will not go away as driverless cars emerge,” says Gaurav D. Garg, CEO Personal Insurance, AIG. “It is critical for insurers to carefully watch the trend to help prepare clients – both consumers and businesses.”
While most Americans believe that driverless vehicles are on the way, most respondents don’t think they will be on the road anytime soon.
On average, those surveyed think it will take 22 years for %100 driverless vehicles to represent more than a fifth of the vehicles on the road and that it will take 34 years before the autos make up the majority of vehicles in the U.S.
The most significant factors for the perceived delay of driverless vehicles include: high costs; security issues; individuals who enjoy driving; and, safety concerns.
Category: General Update, News
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