Research reveals UK/US driver divide

New research has revealed a stark contrast in US and UK driver attitudes toward automated vehicles.

Trust in Automation, delivered by Thatcham Research, polled 2,000 motorists and unearthed a significant difference either side of the Atlantic.

For example, 81% of US drivers saw a benefit to self-driving or autonomous technology compared to 73% in the UK, while 11% of US drivers said they would buy a car with self-driving capability as soon as it was available compared to just four per cent of UK drivers.

Meanwhile, when asked how they felt about taking back control from the first cars with self-driving capability, just under half (48%) of American motorists said they were comfortable with the idea of an emergency handover request from the system. In the UK this number drops to 32%.

Trust in Automation also identified a digital divide between younger and older drivers, with 38% of the over 55s seeing no benefit to self-driving cars compared to only 10% of 17–24-year-olds.

Matthew Avery, Chief Strategic Research Officer, Thatcham Research, said, “Without that clarity of communication – from naming conventions to how the system informs motorists that the self-driving mode is engaged – the industry could miss a huge opportunity to commence our journey towards Automation on the safest possible foundations.

“Offering reassurance to more experienced drivers is key, since the first vehicles with self-driving capability are more likely to be out of the financial reach of younger age groups.”