BOISE – No brake pedal, no steering wheel, no problem. More drivers say they wouldn’t be afraid to ride in an autonomous vehicle in AAA’s new survey.

Last year, 78 percent of motorists said they would be afraid to ride in a self-driving car, but this year, that number has dropped to 63 percent, which means an additional 20 million drivers are willing to take part. It’s a significant change that is likely the result of increased public awareness.

“The concept has been fairly well-publicized, and no longer seems like something from the pages of a science fiction book,” says Matthew Conde, public affairs director for AAA Idaho. “It’s a good time for stakeholders to work together to establish a common vocabulary, develop clear safety standards, and set test parameters that move the technology safely forward.”