Evolution and the Fear of Self-Driving Cars

Despite studies revealing that self-driving vehicles are significantly less likely to be involved in accidents, public trust remains stubbornly low, with only 9% expressing confidence in these technologies. This fear may stem from neophobia, an evolutionary trait that leads people to avoid novel situations or technologies perceived as risky. As fully autonomous vehicles are already in operation and demonstrating safety superiority over human drivers, the challenge lies in overcoming societal fears to enhance adoption and safety benefits.

Studies indicate that self-driving vehicles are much less likely to be involved in crashes; however, only 9% of people trust them, revealing a significant disparity.

Neophobia plays a critical role in how humans respond to new technologies like self-driving vehicles, leading to a cautious approach that often hinders adoption despite potential safety benefits.

Read at Psychology Today