Do you think you're a better driver than AI? Three in five motorists reckon they are superior to autonomous vehicles

18/05/2024

Automated Driving Bill will receive Royal Assent this monthYet British drivers are still not fully convinced by self-driving tech - are you?

Who's better behind the wheel: your or artificial intelligence (AI)?

A poll of 2,078 motorists across Britain found that three in five reckon they're superior on the road than technology powering autonomous vehicles.

The report comes as Boris Johnson recently gave an overwhelmingly positive review of his experience in a Tesla with self driving tech in the Daily Mail.

And on Monday, the Automated Vehicles Bill is set to receive Royal Assent with the UK government prepped to invest up to £150million into driverless tech by 2030.

But the results from the new study suggest the public is yet to be fully convinced by driverless cars.

*Have your say in our poll below and tell us if you think you're better at driving than AI

Are you a better driver than AI? Three in five motorists reckon they're superior to autonomous vehicle tech - let us know your thoughts in the poll below

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Do you think you're a better driver than an autonomous vehicle?

Yes 5 votes
No 0 votes
Undecided 1 votes

Now share your opinion

The research, conducted by Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS), found 60 per cent of motorists consider themselves to be a ‘better’ driver than a driverless car. Casting doubt on driver willingness to opt for an autonomous driving experience and hand over control of the vehicle.

And further reticence is seen with views around the reliability of self-driving tech.

When asked what they felt would be the biggest disadvantage of fully automated cars, two in five (39 per cent) of drivers expressed concerns about 'technological failings or mishaps'.

Meanwhile, one in ten (10 per cent) stated that non-active participation could lead to them ‘becoming bored’ on a driverless car journey.

However, when asked about the advantages of fully automated driving, over a quarter (27 per cent) felt the technology would remove unsafe drivers from the roads, while just under a third (30 per cent) stated they did not think there was any significant benefit.

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Despite public reluctance around driverless vehicles, the automotive trade body believes the tech will bring significant safety and economic enhancements.

Research by The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders suggests that self-driving technology will save 3,900 lives and prevent 60,000 serious road accidents by 2040, as well as provide an economic boost in the region of £66billion.

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However, the first major scientific report on advanced AI safety published this week found there are inherent risks too.

The study - the first iteration of the International Scientific Report on Advanced AI Safety - warns there is not universal agreement among experts on a range of topics around artificial intelligence.

Their main points of concerns are around the state of current AI capabilities and how those could evolve over time, and the likelihood of extreme risks occurring, such as losing control over the technology.

The report identified three main categories of risk around AI: malicious use, risks from malfunctions, and systemic risks.

It comes as the Automated Vehicles Bill completed its parliamentary passage in the House of Lords this month and will receive Royal Assent on Monday 20 May.

Announced in the King’s Speech in November 2023, the bill will set out the legal framework for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles across Britain.

It will eventually outline who is liable for misuse of the tech and crashes, set the safety threshold for legal self-driving and establish an in-use regulatory scheme to monitor the ongoing safety of these vehicles.

The first major scientific report on advanced AI safety published this week found there are major concerns with adopting AI: malicious use, risks from malfunctions, and systemic risks

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Tom Leggett, vehicle technology manager at the UK’s only not-for-profit automotive risk intelligence organisation, Thatcham Research, said: 'I am pleased the AV Bill will soon receive Royal Assent. Having followed its progress throughout the Houses of Parliament closely for the last six months, the UK will soon be in a better position to safely adopt automated vehicles on our roads.

'Reassuringly, the bill recognises several points raised in our joint Insurer Requirements for Automated Vehicles report.

'This highlights an understanding from lawmakers that working alongside insurers and other key automotive stakeholders is essential to ensuring the safe adoption of this technology.

'The AV [automated vehicle] Bill will also present an opportunity for greater clarity within the automotive sector, helping consumers to make more informed decisions when considering vehicles with automated functionality.

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However, Thatcham says there is still work to be done through secondary legislation to ensure this technology is adopted sustainably.

'Challenges remain around the clarity of insurance responsibility in the event of an AV collision, the clear identification of self-driving capabilities, and the possible cybersecurity risk,' Leggett says.

'Automated Vehicles represent an exciting future for the UK automotive sector, but only if we can ensure there is suitable legislation and guidelines to protect drivers and insurers.'

Jonathan Fong, manager for general insurance policy at the Association of British Insurers, welcomed the passing of the bill, saying it puts the UK 'on the road to being a world leader in AV technology'.

He added: 'UK motor insurers have long been supporting the development of automated vehicles, including by actively insuring trials to allow the technology to evolve, and by supporting the creation and progress of this Bill at every step of the journey.

'While this Bill represents a significant step forward, further consideration is needed to address concerns around safety and cyber security. It’s critical that insurers have access to relevant data in order to support the adoption of this technology.'

The Automated Vehicles Bill completed its parliamentary passage in the House of Lords this month and will receive Royal Assent on Monday 20 May. It will implement the legal framework for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles across Britain

However, Mike Todd, ceo at VWFS UK, says that despite politicians pushing ahead with legislative framework for rolling out autonomous vehicles, the public 'is yet to be fully convinced' by the tech.

'Confidence in their own driving abilities, compared to self-driving technology, means some motorists will be reluctant to hand over control,' Todd said.

'While for others, the active participation in the driving experience is one they do not want to lose.'

He added: 'Drivers also express worries about technology-related issues or failings when in the vehicle.

'However, when weighed against the predicted safety and economic benefits that autonomous driving will deliver, the argument for continuing to invest in the development of self-driving technology is compelling.'

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