A AAA survey conducted in January 2020 has come up with some findings that will interest Florida residents who are wary of self-driving cars. Only 12% of respondents said they would feel safe in such a vehicle. Twenty-eight percent of respondents even said they were unsure what to think about autonomous vehicle technology.
Respondents were able to give their opinion as to what might help them overcome their misgivings about the technology. Fifty-seven percent said they want to understand clearly who would be legally at fault in an accident involving a self-driving car. Fifty-one percent wanted to know if laws would be introduced to make self-driving cars safe while 49% wondered how protected the cars would be from hackers.
Seventy-two percent of respondents said they would feel safe in a self-driving car if it allowed them to take over driving when something goes wrong. Sixty-nine percent said such vehicles should have human back-up drivers. A little less than half said that rigorous testing and inspections would make them feel safer. Lastly, 42% said they would feel safer after actually seeing or being part of a demonstration with a self-driving car.
It’s clear, then, that automakers need to be transparent about the technology and its current limitations. The information must be tangible and connected with the above-mentioned concerns.
Before self-driving cars become a reality, drivers still have to consider the safety issues surrounding semi-autonomous vehicles. Many motor vehicle accidents arise because drivers overestimate the capabilities of automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and other features. Victims, for their part, may want a lawyer to help them build up their case. The lawyer might hire crash investigators and medical experts for assistance before proceeding to negotiations. Victims may be reimbursed for losses like medical expenses and pain and suffering.