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
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here