September 30, 2025 Texans Weigh In: Public Trust Could Make or Break the Robotaxi Revolution

The future of rideshare is no longer just about human drivers.

With robotaxis now operating in Austin and pilot programs expanding to Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, Texas has become a proving ground for autonomous rides. But while the technology promises safer roads and cheaper fares, a new study conducted by Texas Law Dog reveals that public trust remains the single biggest barrier to widespread adoption.

National Skepticism vs. Texas Optimism

Across the United States, skepticism about self-driving cars runs deep. According to Pew Research, 75% of Americans favor a slower rollout of autonomous vehicles, while 26% say they would never ride in one. AAA’s 2025 survey found that only 13% of U.S. drivers trust self-driving cars, up slightly from 9% in 2024. Meanwhile, a Forbes Advisor poll reported that 93% of respondents expressed safety concerns about robotaxis.

Texas, however, tells a different story. The study found that 63% of Texans describe themselves as “cautious” but open to trying robotaxis, while 32% already feel “confident” riding in one. That’s nearly triple the national confidence rate. Younger Texans, in particular, are leading the way, citing convenience and affordability as their top motivators.

Generational Divide: Who’s Ready to Ride?

The study highlights a sharp generational split in attitudes toward robotaxis:

Younger riders are more than twice as likely to embrace robotaxis compared to older generations. For Texans under 35, the appeal is clear: 62% cite convenience, such as guaranteed pickup times, while 58% point to lower fares compared to Uber or Lyft.

By contrast, older Texans remain wary. Among those 55 and older, only 1 in 10 say they would feel comfortable riding in a robotaxi. Their top concerns include software reliability, hacking risks, and uncertainty about liability in the event of a crash.

Safety Concerns Dominate

Despite growing optimism among younger riders, safety remains the defining issue for most Texans. The study found that:

• 70% worry about software glitches, such as phantom braking or wrong-lane entries.
• 67% fear cybersecurity threats, including the possibility of vehicles being hacked.
• 59% are unclear about liability—whether responsibility falls on the manufacturer, software provider, or fleet operator after a crash.

These concerns are not unfounded. In Austin’s first week of Tesla robotaxi operations, at least 11 incidents were documented, including sudden stops in intersections and wrong-way entries. NHTSA investigations have also logged video evidence of autonomous vehicles failing to yield to emergency responders.

Still, the broader safety data paints a more encouraging picture. Waymo’s fleet, for example, has logged over 71 million rider-only miles with 96% fewer intersection crashes and 88% fewer injury crashes compared to human drivers. Across more than 10 million paid rides, Waymo has reported zero fatalities.

Incentives That Could Shift Public Opinion

The study suggests that public acceptance of robotaxis will hinge on clear, tangible benefits. Among Texans surveyed:

• 68% said they would try a robotaxi if fares were at least 20% cheaper than Uber or Lyft.
• 55% said they would be more likely to ride if safety campaigns highlighted crash-rate comparisons showing robotaxis outperforming human drivers.
• 60% said guaranteed pickup times within five minutes would make them more willing to switch.

In other words, cost savings, convenience, and transparent safety data could be the tipping points that move Texans from cautious curiosity to confident adoption.

Communication Is Key

Texas Law Dog’s study emphasizes that public education campaigns will be critical to building trust. Highlighting data such as Waymo’s 96% reduction in intersection crashes or Tesla’s 40% lower injury rates compared to the national average could help counteract fear-driven narratives.

Recommended strategies include:

• Live demonstrations in downtown districts, allowing riders to experience robotaxis firsthand.
• Transparent incident reporting on city dashboards, so residents can see both successes and failures in real time.
• University partnerships, where campuses serve as controlled environments for pilot programs, familiarizing younger riders with the technology.

Texas as a National Test Case

Texas is uniquely positioned to shape the national conversation on robotaxis. With its combination of sprawling highways, dense urban centers, and extreme weather conditions, the state provides a rigorous testing ground for autonomous fleets.

• Austin has already doubled its robotaxi service zone from 5 to 10 square miles.
• Dallas and Houston rank among the top U.S. rideshare markets, making them prime candidates for expansion.
• Waymo is scheduled to launch in Dallas in 2026, further cementing Texas as a leader in autonomous adoption.

If robotaxis can succeed in Texas—navigating flash floods, dust storms, and congested interstates—they may prove viable nationwide.

The Human Factor Still Matters

While robotaxis show clear safety and efficiency gains, the study notes that human drivers still outperform AI in certain scenarios. These include:

• Off-map navigation in rural areas.
• Complex construction zones.
• Improvisation during infrastructure failures or natural disasters.

In fact, Cruise has reported 16 disengagements per million miles, requiring human intervention. Austin officials also continue to report delays in clearing stalled robotaxis from traffic lanes, which can hinder emergency response.

This suggests that, at least for now, human oversight remains essential—whether through remote monitoring or on-the-ground support.

Liability and Legal Questions

Another major barrier to adoption is the unresolved question of liability. When a robotaxi crashes, who is at fault? The manufacturer? The software provider? The fleet operator?

Texas SB 2205 requires autonomous vehicle operators to log disengagements and report incidents publicly, but legal experts warn that liability disputes will likely increase as robotaxi adoption grows. Until courts establish clearer precedents, uncertainty around accountability may continue to dampen public trust.

The Road Ahead

The study concludes that while Texans are more open to robotaxis than most Americans, public trust will ultimately determine the pace of adoption. Younger riders are eager to embrace the technology, but older generations remain skeptical. Safety data is promising, but high-profile incidents continue to fuel doubt.

For robotaxis to succeed in Texas—and by extension, across the U.S.—operators must deliver on three fronts:

• Prove safety with transparent data.
• Offer clear economic benefits through lower fares.
• Build trust through communication and education.

As Texas expands its robotaxi programs, the state will serve as a national test case. If public trust can be earned here, it may pave the way for a broader transformation of American transportation.

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