Most Americans Aren't Ready for Driverless Cars

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A new survey shows that 71% of Americans are uncomfortable riding in self-driving cars, highlighting deep-rooted skepticism and unfamiliarity. On Tech News Weekly, CNET Senior Technology Reporter Abrar Al-Heeti breaks down what’s driving these numbers, shares her personal experiences in autonomous vehicles, and explains what might shift public opinion as the technology becomes more widespread.

How Many People Have Actually Ridden in Driverless Cars?

According to recent Pew Research data discussed on the show, only 5% of U.S. adults have ever been in a driverless car. This limited exposure is not surprising—autonomous vehicles like those from Waymo and Zoox are still confined to select metro areas and are only now beginning to expand into new cities.

Al-Heeti notes that since most people haven’t personally experienced these vehicles, their perceptions are shaped mainly by alarming headlines or viral videos rather than first-hand knowledge.

Why Are So Many Americans Uncomfortable With Autonomous Vehicles?

The Pew poll found that a staggering 71% of respondents would not be comfortable in a self-driving car. On the episode, Al-Heeti explains the psychological factors at play: for many, the idea of relinquishing control to a machine—even one with sophisticated AI and safety features—feels unsettling.

She recalls her own first ride as initially disorienting but quickly routine, stating that after a minute or two, it became clear the car was capable, often mimicking the cautious driving style one expects from a good human driver.

Key reasons for discomfort include:

• Negative press and spotlighted malfunctions (vehicles entering construction zones, failing to handle unusual situations)
• The rarity of driverless cars making real-life exposure uncommon
• A lack of transparency or trust in how these cars handle edge cases

What Are Driverless Car Companies Doing to Build Trust?

Al-Heeti describes how companies like Waymo are focusing on improving both the technology and the passenger experience to boost public confidence. This includes:

• Immediate support: Multiple help and emergency buttons inside vehicles, along with live camera monitoring
• Familiar interfaces: Integrating ride-hailing with popular apps like Uber and Lyft to give riders a sense of continuity and control
• User education: Considering resources similar to airline or medical “preparation” videos to set expectations for first-time riders

As these features evolve and vehicles become more assertive in their driving style (without being aggressive), normalization of the experience is expected to increase comfort.

Will Americans Warm Up to Self-Driving Cars as Availability Grows?

The limited geographic reach of self-driving services is a major stumbling block for mainstream acceptance. Waymo aims to expand into over two dozen cities in the near future, while Tesla is reportedly piloting a pedal-less, steering-wheel-free “Cyber Cab” in Austin.

On Tech News Weekly, it’s highlighted that as more people are able to try driverless cars for themselves—potentially through familiar platforms like Uber—public opinion may shift. Al-Heeti draws a parallel to other once-novel technologies that faced initial skepticism but eventually became everyday conveniences.

However, she and the show host remain surprised at how low curiosity seems to be, with so few Americans even interested in a “test ride.”

Key Takeaways

• Driverless car adoption is limited: Only 5% of Americans have tried them, keeping fear and skepticism high.
• Discomfort is widespread: 71% of adults say they wouldn’t feel comfortable in an autonomous vehicle, often due to lack of familiarity and negative press.
• Experience changes perception: Those who try it often quickly acclimate and feel secure.
• Trust-building efforts matter: Companies are adding safety features, familiar app integration, and real-time support to boost confidence.
• Expansion may shift attitudes: As self-driving cars reach more cities and mainstream ride-hailing apps, broader exposure may soften resistance.
• Curiosity is lower than expected: Despite futuristic allure, most people aren’t even interested in trying an autonomous ride.

The Bottom Line

Public trust is the linchpin for the future of driverless cars. As CNET’s Abrar Al-Heeti shared on Tech News Weekly, wider exposure and improved safety features could eventually turn skepticism into acceptance—but there’s still a long road ahead before most Americans will willingly hand over the keys to artificial intelligence.

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