More than 65 per cent of motorists want to retain the right to drive even though driverless cars are coming, according to two new pieces of research.
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 per cent of motorists believe that a human being should always be in control of a vehicle with 53 per cent saying that 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 OBE, chief executive of IAM RoadSmart said, “Technological advances that make driving and riding safer for all road users have to be embraced whole-heartedly – but British motorists and our members, do want the right to drive.
“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.”
Biggest support for driverless cars was 92% of respondents in the surveys said they wanted automated systems to stop tailgating.
