More than half of the UK’s motorists oppose driverless cars as the country moves forwards with plans to allow autonomous technology trials to begin on our roads. 62% of drivers said they would feel less safe on the roads alongside other vehicles with no human behind the wheel. Almost three-quarters of those surveyed (72%) said there would be added complications to resolving insurance disputes involving “robo cars”.
The new findings – from a new survey of 1,000 motorists by vehicle CCTV specialists SmartWitness – were revealed as the Government made the development of “autonomous vehicles” a key part of the Queen’s Speech. The Queen said measures in the Modern Transport Bill would, “ensure the UK is at the forefront of technology for new forms of transport, including autonomous and electric vehicles.”
Autonomous technology is already making its way onto our roads, with cars like the Tesla Model S now capable of changing lanes autonomously, being summoned without a driver even in the car and being able to park itself too. Other manufacturers are hot on their heels and offer an array of different driving tech that aims to assist a driver currently, but is soon touted to replace them altogether.
Following an accident between a Tesla and a trailer in America recently, the insurance blame game was put into the spotlight and a certain level of unknown exists despite car makers firmly stating that the car is always the responsibility of the driver. This becomes a somewhat uneasy argument though, when there’s no driver in the car at all. There is a call for strong safeguards to ensure there is a level playing field with insurance claims that involve autonomous cars.
Nine out of ten (91%) support the idea to have compulsory dashcam (camera and noise recording) technology in all autonomous vehicles so there would be court admissible proof of exactly what had happened in the event of an incident.
The SmartWitness poll found that 52% of motorists oppose the introduction of driverless cars – mainly over fears about road safety. SmartWitness chief executive Paul Singh said:
“It is incredibly exciting that Britain is taking the lead globally in the development of autonomous cars. But these new findings from the SmartWitness survey show that there are still real fears from ordinary motorists about what will happen if they are in a collision with an autonomous car. Around 40% of all motor insurance claims are disputed, but how do you resolve a dispute when you can only hear evidence from one of the drivers involved?
The simplest way to eliminate the problem is to make camera technology compulsory in all autonomous vehicles. This will provide court admissible proof in the event of an accident and help to alleviate motorists’ fears about the introduction of driverless cars. It is fantastic that the Government is embracing this new technology and powering forward, but proper safeguards need to be put in place to protect all motorists.”
Just 2% of accidents recorded on SmartWitness cameras result in disputed claims. Dashboard cameras are now used in more than half of Britain’s fleets, according to the Road Haulage Association. Increasing numbers of private motorists are also using them to guard against “cash for crash” fraudsters and reduce insurance premiums.
Source; SmartWitness
