The global consensus on the risk management of autonomous driving

A global study across eight countries, involving nearly 11,000 participants, explored preferences for risk distribution in autonomous driving. Despite cultural differences, findings showed strikingly similar risk ethics among road users, with most prioritizing accident probability and severity over minimization. This contrasts with ethical considerations in crash scenarios. Notably, cyclists' risk perception did not significantly differ from others, suggesting a coherent global consensus on autonomous driving risk ethics. The study examines how participants weigh accident probability and severity in traffic, using a yellow autonomous vehicle adjusting its lateral lane position to evaluate risk distribution. Results show the mean driving positions per country in scenarios with empty or passenger-carrying AVs, comparing traffic statistics in these conditions.