Confusion over what ‘autonomous’ driving means could be increasing the risk of road accidents according to a new study.
The investigation by Thatcham Research and the Association of British Insurers found growing reports of accidents occurring with drivers found to be over-relying on technology which is not yet designed to drive the car independently. The ‘Assisted and Automated Driving Definition and Assessment’ study identifies confusion over names like Autopilot and ProPilot, given to driver assistance systems by carmakers, as to how and when drivers should take back control of their vehicles and systems.
Matthew Avery, Head of Research at Thatcham Research said: “We are starting to see real-life examples of the hazardous situations that occur when motorists expect the car to drive and function on its own. Specifically, where the technology is taking ownership of more and more of the driving task, but the motorist may not be sufficiently aware that they are still required to take back control in problematic circumstances. Fully Automated vehicles that can own the driving task from A to B, with no need for driver involvement whatsoever, won’t be available for many years to come. Until then, drivers remain criminally liable for the safe use of their cars and as such, the capability of current road vehicle technologies must not be oversold.”
Mr Avery has called upon car manufacturers to rethink the terminology applied to these driver assistance systems to combat any misunderstanding. He continued: “It begins with how systems are named and described across carmaker marketing materials and the driver’s handbook. Names like Autopilot or ProPilot are deeply unhelpful, as they infer the car can do a lot more than it can. Absolute clarity is needed, to help drivers understand the when and how these technologies are designed to work and that they should always remain engaged in the driving task.”
James Dalton, Director of General Insurance Policy at the Association of British Insurers, added: “Insurers are major supporters of efforts to get assisted and autonomous vehicles onto the UK’s roads. Given the part human error plays in the overwhelming majority of accidents, these technologies have the potential to dramatically improve road safety. However, we are a long way from fully autonomous cars which will be able to look after all parts of a journey and in the meantime, it remains crucial that all drivers are alert and ready to take back full control at a moment’s notice. Manufacturers must be responsible in how they describe and name what their vehicles can do, and the insurance industry is ready to hold them to account on this.”
Thatcham will be conducting ongoing consumer research into the matter over the summer, with further results to be released in the Autumn.
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