A study by Volkswagen Financial Services UK (VWFS) revealed that 46 per cent of British motorists think they’d be a better driver than driverless cars powered by artificial intelligence.
Generationally, 18- to 24-year-olds believe in their driving abilities most (52 per cent) whereas 39 per cent of over-75s think they’d be a better driver than a driverless car. Younger people also indicate a greater likelihood to purchase a driverless car. Respondents aged between 25 and 34 years are 10 times as likely to buy a driverless car than people aged 55 to 64 years (50 per cent versus five per cent).
The research also found that 24 per cent of Brits think the first fully driverless car will be available to consumers in five to 10 years, while eight per cent think they’ll never hit the mass market. Only four per cent of respondents felt that a fully driverless car will be available to consumers within the next 12 months, despite the UK Department for Transport announcing earlier this year that self-driving vehicles could be allowed on UK roads by the end of 2021, with automated lane-keeping systems the first type of hands-free driving legalised.
Many consumers are not convinced by the idea of a driverless car, with only 21 per cent saying they’re likely to buy a driverless car if and when they become available. Men are significantly more likely than women to answer that they would be likely to purchase a driverless car (29 per cent versus 13 per cent).
“I think our study offers a fascinating insight into the collective psyche of British motorists as it confirms that we’re a proud nation of drivers and that we’re very confident in our own driving abilities,” said Mike Todd, CEO of VWFS.
“It speaks volumes that so many of us would rather be in control behind the wheel as opposed to being chauffeured by highly sophisticated technology. Of course, the road to full autonomy will not be without its challenges – which goes some way to explaining the slight apprehension towards driverless vehicles uncovered in our research – but if self-driving technology continues to develop at its current pace, fully driverless cars could be here much sooner than we think.”
The VWFS research is at odds with the UK Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders view that automated driving systems could prevent 47,000 serious accidents and save 3900 lives over the next decade through their ability to reduce the single largest cause of road accidents – human error.