The AA acknowledges that the Select Committee report Motoring of the Future poses many pertinent questions about the future of motoring but the AA maintains that neither the report nor Government yet has the vision to answer those questions.
Edmund King, AA president, said, “The report rightly points to potential problems of a transition period on the roads. There is a potential nightmare scenario whereby robotic driverless cars are fighting for space with cars with humans behind the wheel and indeed semi-autonomous cars with no one totally in control.
“We really need a safe vision for the future whereby all vehicles and all road users, can coexist in harmony. This vision will entail Government, manufacturers, insurers and indeed drivers agreeing the way ahead.
“New technologies offer the prospect of cleaner, safer and cheaper motoring. Better electronic communication, allowing cars to talk to those that can assist them, means that drivers in distress on the roadside stay connected to and not cut-off from help.
“However, government agencies and companies that facilitate these new technologies must always keep in mind: what works for the boffins may be baffling for the motorists. What may be a quantum leap in auto sophistication may be a leap of faith too far for the average driver.”
His comments were also supported by the IAM.
IAM director of policy, Neil Greig said, “The next few years could see a confusing combination of computer and human-controlled vehicles on our roads so the legal framework must be clear on who is responsible in the event of a crash. The way we train drivers will have to change to reflect this.
“The committee recognised our concerns about data protection. Computerised vehicles will generate information on an epic scale. In the not so distant future a hacker could do more damage than a drunk driver. Getting system security right must be a top priority.”
New automotive technologies could unblock congested highways, deliver a step change in road safety and provide the basis for rapid industrial growth, but the Department for Transport (DfT) will need to develop a comprehensive strategy to maximise the benefits of new motoring technology, such as telematics and driverless cars, for people and businesses in the UK.
Launching a report on Motoring of the Future, Louise Ellman MP, Chair of Transport Committee said, “Motoring is being transformed by new materials, new fuels and information technology. The Government must do more to ensure that people and businesses in the UK benefit from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Committee Chair Louise Ellman MP added, “The public need to be sure that new types of vehicles are safe to travel on our roads. The Government must do more to prepare for a transition period where manual, semi-autonomous and driverless vehicles will share UK roads. Transport Ministers must explain how different types of vehicles will be certified and tested, how drivers will be trained and how driving standards will be updated, monitored and enforced.”
Following its wide-ranging inquiry, the Transport Select Committee calls on the DfT to:
- Clarify how the introduction of self-driving cars will affect the liabilities of drivers, manufacturers and insurers.
- Positively engage in setting European and international standards that will help UK manufacturers develop products suitable for export.
- Ask the Information Commissioner to update guidelines on the collection, access and use of vehicle data.
- Use data on driver behaviour held by the insurance industry and others to inform policy making and improve road safety.
