Almost half (48%) of drivers do not trust new driverless technology, with women less likely to trust it than men (men 43% and women 54%).
Over 55s (58%) are more than twice as likely to mistrust it compared to under 35s (28%).
The Opinium survey of 2000 UK drivers, commissioned by InsuretheGap.com, a provider of Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance, found that only 9% say they would feel safe travelling in a fully self-driving vehicle (men 11% and women 6%), i.e., a driverless car, and almost half (43%) would want to be able to take over the controls.
While 16% say driverless cars are a great invention, particularly as they allow more people to be mobile and independent, 12% would consider buying one (men 15% and women 10%).
Over a quarter (28%) say there is too much technology in cars already without driverless cars and 40% says they do not want a driverless car as they enjoy driving (men 42% v women 38%). Almost one in five (19%) drivers also complain that cars today are too computerised, meaning they cannot undertake their own car maintenance.
Ben Wooltorton, Chief Operating Office, InsuretheGap.com, said, “With the first stage of self-driving cars due on our roads by the end of the year, there’s clearly a lot of scepticism amongst drivers about their functionality and indeed desirability. Drivers are clearly not sold on the advantages of driverless technology and interestingly not least because many do not want to give up the controls as they enjoy driving.”