Trends in U.S. Drivers’ Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Vehicle Automation, 2019–2025

Introduction

Advances in automotive technology aim to enhance traffic safety beyond the capabilities of earlier vehicles. Vehicle technologies have progressed from basic assistance systems to higher levels of automation. As these technologies continue to develop, it is essential to understand how drivers’ perceptions and attitudes toward these systems are evolving. Examining these trends can help us understand whether drivers are willing to adopt new vehicle technologies and what barriers may limit adoption, which in turn can inform future vehicle technology development.

This research brief explores national trends from 2019 to 2025, covering how adoption preferences for vehicle automation, perceptions of safety, levels of trust, and key concerns have shifted over time. It also examines how comfortable people feel riding in fully automated versions of various modes of transportation.

Methodology

Data for this research brief were drawn from the Traffic Safety Culture Index (TSCI) survey, an annual probability-based survey designed to represent the U.S. population. Data collection took place each year around July and August. Starting in 2019, the survey introduced a consistent set of questions capturing respondents’ perceptions and attitudes toward varying levels of vehicle automation. Data collected through 2025 were included in this analysis. For households that participated in multiple survey years, one response per household was randomly selected to ensure independence across the dataset.

Analyses were based on weighted data and restricted to licensed drivers ages 16 and older who reported at least some familiarity with vehicle automation. Descriptive analyses were conducted to summarize key trends over time, and survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to test whether observed trends were statistically significant.

Key Findings

• Over time, drivers increasingly preferred more assistive technology (e.g., Level 2). Drivers perceived it as safer, trusted it more, and had fewer concerns.
• Adoption preferences shifted toward Level 2 across the study period, regardless of initial choices.
• Malfunction was the most frequently reported concern across all levels of automation.
• Comfort with fully automated Level 5–equipped subways and trains increased over time, whereas it declined for other modes, such as robotaxis and privately owned vehicles.