Driverless Cars Are a Tough Sell to Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Automakers and technology companies aiming to make driverless cars ubiquitous on U.S. roads will have to win over most Americans. Three in four Americans indicate they would still own or lease a car that they personally drive once driverless technology becomes commonplace.

These findings are from an April 23-29 Gallup poll that explored Americans' driving habits and their attitudes toward cars -- both human-operated and driverless. While majorities of all demographic groups say they would want to own or lease a car that that they personally drive even when self-driving cars are common, there were several notable differences among subgroups.

• Those who do not enjoy driving much or at all (36%) are three times as likely as those who enjoy driving a great deal (11%) to say they would own a driverless car.

• College graduates (29%) are more than twice as likely as those who are not college graduates (13%) to say they would own a self-driving car.

• Americans living in cities (23%) and suburbs (24%) are more than twice as likely as those living in small towns and rural areas (10%) to say they would own a driverless car.

Although automobile manufacturers and technology companies are investing billions in making self-driving cars a common part of Americans' daily lives, the public is generally taking a wait-and-see approach with these vehicles. Only 9% of Americans say they would use the technology immediately once it is certified by government auto-safety regulators, while 38% say they would wait a while and 52% would never want to use a driverless car.

• Adults younger than age 50 (55%) are more likely than those aged 50 to 64 (46%) and those 65 and older (32%) to indicate they would use the technology either as soon as possible or at least after some time has passed.

• Men (53%) are more likely than women (40%) to say they would use a driverless car at some point.

• Similarly, more college graduates (58%) say they would use autonomous cars than do those without college degrees (41%).

• And Americans with household incomes of $90,000 or more (57%) are more likely than those with household incomes under $90,000 (45%) to say they would either wait a while to use self-driving cars or use them immediately.

Cars Are an Essential, Enjoyable Part of Most Americans' Lives

Americans and cars are inextricably linked, with 86% saying they own or lease some kind of vehicle and 83% reporting that they personally drive at least most days of the week. Although 30% of the public say they use ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft, significantly fewer, 12%, say they use public transportation at least weekly.

Americans also like to drive -- more than three in four (78%) say they personally enjoy driving "a great deal" or "a moderate amount." The remaining 21% say they do not enjoy driving "much" or "at all."

Notably, 41% of men say they enjoy driving a great deal while only 27% of women say the same.

Bottom Line

Although positive impressions of the auto industry reached record highs recently, the American public is not yet on board with the direction auto manufacturers are headed -- rolling out driverless cars on U.S. roads. Americans are reliant on their cars and enjoy driving. Automakers will have to convince the public that not only is self-driving technology safe, but that the safety, environmental and other benefits it offers outweigh the pleasure people get from driving.