Is a Self-Driving Car in Your Future?Widespread adoption of self-driving technology may be just around the corner. Whether you’re looking forward to a more relaxing morning commute or dreading the day you hand over your keys to a machine, here’s a look at what’s new in autonomous vehicles.
Public opinion is low.
Before self-driving technology can take over our roads, people need to accept it.
According to a survey from AAA, 66% of U.S. drivers are fearful of self-driving cars, while another 25% are uncertain about the technology. Although people are interested in semi-autonomous technology like reverse automatic emergency braking, recent incidents involving autonomous vehicles have left the majority of people feeling uneasy about handing over complete control to a machine.
However, the tide could be turning, at least according to an article from TechCrunch. Self-driving cars were on display in Las Vegas for CES 2025, with Waymo and multiple startups showing off autonomous vehicles, and people seemed excited about the technology. Meanwhile, Reason reports that Waymo has expanded its operations in multiple cities and now provides 100,000 driverless rides a week.
High-profile accidents add to concerns.
Self-driving cars have already been involved in a number of accidents. According to KWTX, a driver says his Tesla was in self-driving mode when it hit a parked police vehicle, while CBS News says federal regulators are looking into a fatal crash that may have involved a Tesla using its full self-driving system.
Of course, human-driven vehicles are involved in crashes every day, a point Waymo is trying to make with its Safety Impact webpage. According to Waymo’s analysis, a comparison between Waymo vehicles and human drivers in three cities shows that Waymo had 83% fewer crashes involving airbag deployment, 81% fewer injury crashes and 64% fewer police-reported crashes.
Remote-controlled cars are no longer just toys.
When you think of remote-controlled cars, you probably think of the toys you used to play with as a child. These days, however, remote-controlled cars aren’t just for kids. They’re a real form of transportation, and an alternative to true autonomous technology.
According to For Construction Pros, construction equipment that’s controlled remotely has the potential to increase safety and has been gaining acceptance. Meanwhile, according to The Truth About Cars, Ford Pro is working on features that would let fleet managers control maximum speed, acceleration, locks and ignition remotely.
Jalopnik reports that Phantom Auto has been able to test its remote-controlled vehicles in California without having to get a permit. Because the cars do have a driver – albeit one who’s not in the car – the state’s self-driving regulations don’t apply.
Legislation has a bumpy road.
As more and more companies test self-driving technology on public roads, many people are calling for clear legislation. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 29 states and Washington D.C. have enacted legislation governing self-driving technology. In 41 states, autonomous vehicle legislation has been considered.
At the federal level, the U.S. Department of Transportation has developed the Automated Vehicles Comprehensive Plan as part of its initiative to prioritize safety.
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