Could Driverless Car Technology be Part of Future UK Driving Test?
The UK driving test of the future could look very different to the one that exists today, despite a recent shakeup. Automotive technology company, Bosch, is calling for automated driving to be included as part of the UK driving test to ‘help make it more acceptable to drivers.’ Here’s what we know…
Despite a massive shakeup of the UK driving test in December 2017, automotive tech company, Bosch, wants driverless car technology introduced to the practical test to ‘help change driver perceptions.’ According to a recent report published by Thatcham, driver automation is still very misunderstood.
What does Bosch want to see added to the UK driving test?
Bosch claims that more can be done to make sure the public is better educated so that the UK can become a ‘true global leader’ in automated driving technology. Bosch are pushing for a series of initiatives, including a Government-led awareness campaign, plus simple programmes such as vehicle safety awareness courses.
Additionally, Bosch wants to see technology experience days to introduce people to driverless car technology. Automated driving should form part of the UK driving test too, the tech company says.
The test should include candidate explanations of the different levels of vehicle automation, its technological capabilities and how to manage driver to vehicle communication. Bosch’s push to see more done to integrate driverless car technology stems from their own recent research.
The tech company found that two-thirds of Brits remain sceptical of fully automated vehicles. While over half (56%) of respondents aren’t excited by the prospect of self-driving cars and a similar number (46%) don’t trust the technology behind self-driving cars.
Bosch reckons this scepticism is a result of a lack of understanding and complicated and confusing messaging about driverless car technology.
Trust in driverless cars in the UK has a long way to go
Executive vice president and head of mobility solutions at Bosch UK, Arun Srinivasan, said: “History tells us that whenever there is a breakthrough in technology, a lot of hard work has to go into convincing the public that the benefits outweigh the risks. Our research shows we clearly have a way to go here in the UK.”
To argue its case, Bosch referred to road safety research that illustrates how 90% of vehicle accidents are caused by human error, and said that ‘greater automation in driving will have a significant, positive impact on road safety.’
However, Srinivasan conceded that “Despite the huge benefits that automation can bring to road travel, both in safety and convenience, the public isn’t yet convinced.”
What are your thoughts? Should driverless vehicle technology feature in future UK driving tests?
Watch this space!
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