San Francisco's relationship with autonomous vehicles has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two years. What was once a divisive issue has become one with clear majority support.

When looking at net favorability, support for autonomous vehicles surged 45 points, from a net -7% in September 2023 to a robust net positive of 38% in July 2025.

What changed?

Several factors likely contributed to this shift:

Increased familiarity: As Waymo and other autonomous vehicles became a regular sight on SF streets, residents grew more comfortable with the technology.

Proven technology: As Waymo carried more passengers and demonstrated its reliability, public confidence in the technology increased.

Opposition collapsed: Strong opposition plummeted from 35% to just 16%, indicating that the most vocal critics have been won over by real-world performance.

Safety record: The vehicles' safety record and reliability likely played a key role in changing minds.

Looking ahead

With two-thirds support, autonomous vehicles have achieved a level of public acceptance that seemed unlikely just two years ago. This shift represents one of the most dramatic changes in public opinion on any San Francisco transportation issue in recent memory.