Driverless cars are coming – now someone has asked drivers what they think about the whole thing. IAM RoadSmart (formerly the Institute of Advanced Motorists) conducted an independent survey of 1,000 British motorists and a separate poll among its 92,000 members.

According to the research, more than 65 per cent of motorists want to retain the right to drive even though driverless cars are coming, with a human being always in control of the vehicle, with 53 per cent saying that the focus should be on making drivers safer – not just cars.

Sarah Sillars OBE, chief executive of IAM RoadSmart said: “Technological advances that make driving and riding safer for all road users have to be embraced whole-heartedly – but British motorists and our members, do want the right to drive. Intelligent cars will deliver a step change in road safety by targeting the human errors we make from time-to-time. At IAM RoadSmart we believe a well-trained driver and an ever-vigilant car is a win-win scenario for the future. This technology will also prove to be a major boost for business and keep UK PLC at the very edge of technological advance.

“IAM RoadSmart is the leading specialist in the interaction between human and machine and will play a significant role in this fundamental shift – which will see UK roads the safest, most business friendly and connected in the world.

“The government is due to consult this summer on how the UK can lead the development of autonomous vehicles; we are ready, willing and able to participate fully in this discussion. One could see a time when motorists might be restricted to driving on designated roads – and possibly just for pleasure rather than for work or getting from A to B.”

The results summarised:

65 per cent thought that a human being should always be in charge of a vehicle.
20 per cent thought that driverless cars were a ‘good idea’.
34 per cent thought that driverless cars were a ‘bad idea’.
22 per cent thought that driverless cars would ‘be the norm on UK roads’.
52 per cent thought that driverless cars would never be the norm on UK roads.
16 per cent thought that driverless cars are an ‘exciting prospect’.

When told that 95 per cent of accidents were down to ‘human error’ and that there was ‘a strong case for taking driver control out of the equation’:

24 per cent agreed with the proposition.
15 per cent disagreed with the proposition.
60 per cent said ‘wait and see’.

When asked whether they would ‘consider using a driverless car’:

32 per cent said yes they would.
38 per cent said no they would not.
29 per cent said that they were unsure.

In the poll conducted among IAM RoadSmart members:

87 per cent thought that once driverless cars are readily available driving should not be banned by law.
92 per cent would welcome automated systems that stopped tailgating.