More than 65% of motorists want to retain the right to drive even though driverless cars are coming, two new pieces of research released have shown.

IAM RoadSmart – formerly the Institute of Advanced Motorists – conducted an independent survey of 1,000 British motorists and a separate poll among its 92,000 members.

Those 65% of motorists believe that a human being should always be in control of the vehicle with 53% saying the focus should be on making drivers safer – not just cars.

Members of IAM RoadSmart welcome the hi-tech advances which are improving vehicle safety, but want to maintain their control of a car – even though autonomous technology will be able to do it for them.

Sarah Sillars, chief executive of IAM RoadSmart, said: 'Intelligent cars will deliver a step change in road safety by targeting the human errors we make from time-to-time. At IAM RoadSmart we believe a well-trained driver and an ever-vigilant car is a win-win scenario for the future.'

The research comes as IAM RoadSmart celebrates 60 successful years improving driving and riding standards across the country and unveils a 'new name, new look and a new tone' to support 21st century road users for the next 60 years and beyond.

IAM RoadSmart is positioned to meet the needs of a new generation of drivers and riders. The change brings together the charity with its commercial subsidiaries – IAM Drive & Survive, Professional Driver Services and Driver Retraining Academy.

The Opinium survey of motorists found:

65% thought that a human being should always be in charge of a vehicle.

20% thought that driverless cars were a 'good idea'.

34% thought that driverless cars were a 'bad idea'.

22% thought that driverless cars would 'be the norm on UK roads'.

52% thought that driverless cars would never be the norm on UK roads.

16% thought that driverless cars are an 'exciting prospect'.

When told that 95% of accidents were down to 'human error' and that there was 'a strong case for taking driver control out of the equation':

24% agreed with the proposition.

15% disagreed with the proposition.

60% said 'wait and see'.

When asked whether they would 'consider using a driverless car':

32% said yes they would.

38% said no they would not.

29% said that they were unsure.

In the poll conducted among IAM RoadSmart members:

87% thought that once driverless cars are readily available driving should not be banned by law.

92% would welcome automated systems that stopped tailgating.

What do you think about driverless cars? Email motoring@archant.co.uk