43% of the UK public distrust driverless cars with a further fifth 'terrified' by the concept says uSwitch
The UK public remains apprehensive of driverless cars with four out of ten claiming they do not trust the autonomous technology with their safety, according to research conducted by uSwitch.com.
An online survey of 953 UK adults found that 43 per cent of respondents did not trust driverless car AI to ensure the safety of passengers, other drivers or pedestrians. A further 16 per cent said they were ‘horrified’ by the entire concept of not having a human driver at the helm.
The public was also unsure who would be held liable for crashes between a human driver and automated car. A third felt there should be joint responsibility between the AI car owner and a human driver; a quarter believed the autonomous car manufacturer alone should be liable. Eighteen per cent reasoned that passengers inside the autonomous vehicle should be held responsible.
As a result of the lack of clarity in AI car crash accountability, a third of respondents felt that a wide rollout of the vehicles could drive up insurance premiums – only eight per cent believed the contrary.
Rod Jones, insurance administrator at uSwitch.com, said: “We may be years away from driverless cars outnumbering traditional vehicles on British roads, but it’s clear motorists are already questioning the impact they will have on their lives. With human error accounting for around 90 per cent of road accidents, the potential safety benefits of driverless cars are significant and they should have a positive impact on car insurance premiums.
“However, confusion is still widespread and it will be vital for the government and the insurance industry to clarify the issue of liability over the coming months if driverless technology is to receive the widespread public support it deserves.”
Despite the trepidation towards the new technology a fifth of respondents felt automation could ease up traffic jams, meanwhile a further 18 per cent were ‘excited’ to see the cars in action in the coming years.
The research follows last week's news that taxi-hailing app Uber is working on its own automated driver technology.