A considerable number of Americans still express doubts about traveling in self-driving cars, as indicated by a recent survey conducted by AAA.

The survey conducted in January, which included responses from 1,095 participants, revealed that 61 percent of those surveyed lack trust in autonomous vehicles. The findings did not separate semi-autonomous cars, like specific Tesla models, from fully autonomous options such as Waymo’s robotaxis. Meanwhile, 13 percent of those surveyed conveyed confidence in self-driving technology, while 26 percent were unsure regarding its safety.

Even though the amount of individuals apprehensive about self-driving cars has dropped from 66 percent last year, the 2025 results still show a 7 percent rise in worries compared to AAA’s initial survey on the subject in 2021.

AAA also specifically inquired about robotaxis, uncovering that 74 percent of participants were aware of their existence in certain cities. Nevertheless, 53 percent indicated they would not feel comfortable riding in one. While Millennials and Generation X displayed more willingness to embrace the concept compared to Baby Boomers, a significant portion of younger generations still demonstrated hesitation.

The survey further suggested that the advancement of self-driving technology is not a major concern for most respondents. Rather, they favored funding for vehicle safety systems over the expansion of autonomous vehicle usage. Interest in self-driving cars has diminished from 18 percent in 2022 to merely 13 percent this year.

“Most drivers prefer that automakers concentrate on advanced safety technologies,” stated Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of automotive engineering. “While opinions on fully self-driving vehicles diverge significantly, it’s evident that current drivers prioritize features that improve their safety.”

In spite of their doubts toward fully autonomous vehicles, many respondents showed interest in self-driving features like automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. AAA also reiterated its plea for clearer and less ambiguous language when explaining autonomous vehicle technologies.