Volvo Autonomous driving

Autonomous Driving Data Shows Some Americans Ready, Others Reserved

Autonomous driving is continually up for debate. Proponents point to increased safety, better use of infrastructure, and more enjoyable, productive driving.

Others are not so sure.

Survey Says

The latest from Volvo Cars’ Future of Driving survey shows nine out of ten New Yorkers and 86 percent of Californians are ready for autonomous driving.

The majority of residents in those states believe strongly in the benefits of autonomous driving.

Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Texas are a bit more skeptical. 60 percent of Texans, for example, support autonomous vehicles, but that’s 9 percent less than the nationwide average. 62 percent of Pennsylvanians think autonomous cars will eliminate traffic accidents, compared to the national average of 68 percent. The lowest is Illinois. Only about half (52 percent) of Illinois residents would trust an autonomous car on their daily drive, about 10 percent less than the national average.

Recently, Volvo has stressed the need for world governments to work together regarding autonomous driving. Volvo Cars President and CEO, Lex Kerssemakers, believes government backing is vital for making autonomous driving a viable and safe option.

“The difference between states regarding the safety benefits of autonomous cars highlights why we need a federal framework for autonomous driving regulations,” he said.

Most Americans are concerned about how and when lawmakers will more deeply address autonomous driving. 90 percent of respondents believe government officials are slow to take a position on the topic.

Autonomous vs. Manual Driving

While support for autonomous driving, according to this survey at least, is growing, 68 percent did mention that driving manually must be preserved. Volvo has addressed this with Concept 26.

“Volvo believes that autonomous driving vehicles should give you the freedom to choose when you want to drive and when you want to delegate driving to the car,” Kerssemakers said.

The Future of Driving survey is one of many consumer studies Volvo Cars has conducted about the topic. To date, about 50,000 people worldwide have responded to the survey. The automaker’s autonomous driving pilot program, “Drive Me,” will put 100 consumers in autonomous driving vehicles starting next year.

Would you trust an autonomous car?

*Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. 

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Photos & Source: Volvo