IAM RoadSmart has stated that education will play a vital role in getting the most out of driverless cars in the future…
Distrust of Driverless Cars
New research suggests that a significant majority of drivers distrust driverless cars and autonomous technology. Research conducted by IAM RoadSmart, a road safety charity, suggests that 59% of drivers believe they pose a ‘serious’ risk to their personal safety. Whilst opinions didn’t vary much between age groups, there was a discrepancy between the sexes. For instance, 67% of women said they regard driverless vehicles as a danger.
Around one in ten vehicles will be autonomous by 2030. So, the driverless revolution isn’t exactly around the corner. Nevertheless, automakers and technology companies alike are investing billions into the technology. Indeed, most commentators believe they could actually entail significant safety benefits. But IAM believes education will be crucial if we’re to get the most out of them.
Education Needed
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, commented on the research. He said, “perhaps due to misinformation and an overabundance of technical jargon, the public still remains to be fully convinced new technology which in theory has the potential to reduce many collisions on Britain’s roads; saving thousands of deaths and injuries”.
He added, “in order for this trust to be gained, we recommend that proper education of automated technology is included in the UK driving test; giving motorists the opportunity to learn about how it works, which will at least go some way towards alleviating the anxieties many understandably have at present”.
The UK is actually something of a world leader when it comes to autonomous tech. It’s one of the first nations to endorse rolling out the vehicles on public roads. In which case, education is more important than ever.
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