Voters Reject Safer Robotaxis

Updated: 2025.10.16 6D ago 2 sources
Polling in the article finds only 28% of Americans want their city to allow self‑driving cars while 41% want to ban them—even as evidence shows large safety gains. Opposition is strongest among older voters, and some city councils are entertaining bans. This reveals a risk‑perception gap where a demonstrably safer technology faces public and political resistance. — It shows how misaligned public opinion can block high‑impact safety tech, forcing policymakers to weigh evidence against sentiment in urban transport decisions.

Sources

Waymo's Robotaxis Are Coming To London
BeauHD 2025.10.16 60% relevant
Despite polling that shows many Americans oppose allowing AVs in their cities, London’s regulators (TfL and the Department for Transport) are working with Waymo to permit fully autonomous rides in 2026, illustrating a jurisdiction proceeding with deployment even amid evidence of public hesitancy elsewhere.
Please let the robots have this one
Kelsey Piper 2025.10.01 100% relevant
The Argument’s poll (28% allow vs 41% ban) and Boston councilor Julia Mejia’s opposition during a Waymo hearing, alongside Waymo’s reported ~80% crash‑reduction data.
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