Four in 10 motorists would never consider using a driverless car, according to the IAM‘s latest poll, while 65% of people are sceptical as to whether or not driverless technology is actually a good idea.
Driverless cars rely on radars, GPS and satellites to drive and navigate without the need for a driver to take control. Google’s driverless vehicle has so far driven a total of 300,000 miles without an accident. However, only one third of respondents agreed that this provides a strong argument that the removal of the human element from driving would benefit road safety.
The majority of motorists (815 of 1,088 respondents) believe that focus should be redirected from making cars better to making drivers themselves safer. Although, around half of respondents (500 of 1,088) feel that driverless cars are a good initiative for the future.
One aspect of advanced car technology is that vehicles would be unable to exceed the speed limit. Half of respondents think this is an attractive quality in the driverless car, while the remaining 50% consider it strictly a disadvantage.
Other results showhalf of motorists don’t think that driverless cars will become popular and 56% do not think there is a possibility that driverless cars will be the norm within the next ten years.
Almost all (98%) respondents said they believe driverless car technology is irresponsible, although 22% said they would use a driverless car, and more than half of motorists think automated systems should take control to prevent a crash.
More than 90% like the fact that with driverless car technology, the car behind would not be allowed to drive too close to you.
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “The presence of driverless technology in every car is still many years away. In the meantime, more should be done immediately to improve driver standards and deal with the most common human errors through better training, as well as incentives by the government and insurance companies.
"Of course technology has a huge role to play in road safety, but as long as there are cars on the road people will want to drive them. What we need to aim for is first class drivers operating first class vehicles."
GrumpyOldMen - 20/11/2012 12:34
This is fantastic tech that should be embraced. I am sure we have all seen a few drivers where we'd be much happier if the car was in charge rather than the driver, it couldn't be any worse. Perhaps it should even be compulsory for non-UK trained drivers who got an EU licence by driving a tractor 100 yards down a farm track. And it will open up new horizons for those who are timid mice on motorways so normally don't venture anywhere near them. Ideal for long journeys.