The majority of drivers (80%) say they want manufacturers to improve available advanced driver-assistance systems as opposed to developing autonomous vehicles, according to AAA.

According to AAA’s annual automated vehicle survey only 22% of people feel manufacturers should focus on developing self-driving vehicles. The study also found that 58% of respondents want the latest vehicle safety systems in their next vehicle. 

These findings signal that people are open to more sophisticated vehicle technology, which if they provide positive experiences for drivers, will open the road to self-driving vehicle acceptance, AAA said.

“People are ready to embrace new vehicle technology, especially if it will make driving safer,” said Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of automotive engineering and industry relations. “Consumers are clear about what they want and if automakers seize the opportunity to provide a better experience now, it will pave the way for the vehicles of tomorrow.”

Nearly 96% of 2020 vehicle models came equipped with at least one ADAS solution such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning or lane keeping assistance, according to AAA.

Previous AAA research has found that some systems, particularly those that provide the highest level of automation available to the public, do not always work as expected,AAA said. These negative experiences could influence driver opinion of future vehicle automation. It also reinforces the need for manufacturers to continue to hone vehicle technology by expanding testing and focusing on including more real-world scenarios encountered by drivers.

Recent surveys from AAA found that 86% of drivers either said they would be afraid to ride in a self-driving vehicle (54%) or are unsure about it (32%), according to AAA.

The survey was conducted January 15-17, 2021, using a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population overall. The panel provides sample coverage of approximately 97% of the U.S. household population.