Self-Driving Cars Do Not Appeal to Most Teen Drivers  

Today’s teens are an extremely tech-savvy group, probably because they spend so much time on their smartphones, laptops, or on their computers playing video games with their friends. It is how they communicate and interact with each other.

However, considering how interested they are in the latest iPhone model, video game, or social media app, they are not particularly interested in self-driving technology, according to a recent survey.

The online survey was conducted by State Farm Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), which is a national youth health and safety organization that focuses on issues ranging from traffic safety to substance abuse (formerly known as Students Against Drunk Driving).

Participants were asked whether they would be interested in driving a car that operated on its own once it has been programmed. Over half of the teen drivers in the survey said that they had minimal interest. Over 60 percent responded that they would probably not drive or own a self-driving car, after being asked if they felt safe in a self-driving car.

Survey Results

A total of 764 teen drivers responded to the survey. It is worth noting, however, that all of the respondents were members of SADD. As a result, it may not be a realistic representation of teen drivers in general, since these students are probably less likely to participate in risky behavior, compared to the average teen.

One survey participant said that she would not feel safe in a vehicle that did not have a steering wheel or a brake pedal. She went on to say that she believes that other people would hesitate to ride in an autonomous car, because it takes the control away from the driver.

If a vehicle is fully autonomous, the driver will likely be unable to take over control and respond to a dangerous situation.

Why Self-Driving Cars Are Not More Popular Among Teen Drivers

For teen drivers who live in cities and suburban areas, ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft have become much more widely used. They are convenient and make it very easy to get around.

In addition, it is much less expensive than buying a car, purchasing auto insurance, and paying for maintenance and repairs. For many teens, owning car is cost prohibitive, particularly for teens who are taking on loans to pay for the high cost of college.

One teen who participated in the survey even compared cars to landline phones, saying that the car technology is changing and that owning a car may become a thing of the past.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Self-Driving Car Accidents

If you have been injured in a car accident involving an autonomous vehicle, you are urged to contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton at your earliest convenience. We represent clients who have been injured in all types of car accidents, including those involving self-driving cars. Our experienced and dedicated team will obtain the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. We will not stop fighting for your until you are fully satisfied. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.