Calls for self-driving cars in Britain could be tempered by the “truly terrible” record they have in America, experts have warned.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak used the King’s Speech to pave the way for the introduction of driverless cars. The Government claimed its Automated Vehicles Bill would provide the sector with the certainty and confidence it needs to develop the tech here.
But as experts warn of major safety issues, a Sunday Express investigation today outlines concerns in the American market.
Cruise, which is majority owned by General Motors, is shedding 900 jobs.
The announcement came after safety bosses probed the company following reports of injuries to pedestrians.
It pulled all US vehicles from testing in the autumn after California halted its driverless testing permit.
Meanwhile, its chief executive and co-founder have both quit in recent weeks.
New figures reveal there have been 17 deaths in total with self-driving cars in the US – 11 since May 2022.
In California experts have been disturbed by figures showing that since January 2021, there have been more than 80 accidents involving automated vehicles. A survey suggested 68 per cent of motorists in the US were worried about the new technology.
And a new study by US think tank Rand Corporation suggests the vehicles will require several hundred million miles of driving before their safety can be properly assessed.
August was a controversial month for driverless taxis in San Francisco. Cruise vehicles were involved in two serious crashes within hours of each other and the firm was ordered to reduce its fleet by half.
In February Tesla issued a US recall of more than 360,000 vehicles equipped to be self-driving over concerns its vehicles “disobeyed” traffic lights, stop signals and speed limits.
The UK government estimates the industry will create around 87,000 jobs by 2035, but does not state how many would be lost as a result.
Transport commentator and author Christian Wolmar said any rollout in Britain was a worry, as in America they had a “truly terrible” record. He said: “Automated cars are the wrong solution to the wrong problem. Britain hasn’t got to grips with e-scooters and the law and logistics around that – so how on Earth will it do it with driverless cars? I have little hope. Stats showing how dangerous they are should worry everyone.
“There hasn’t been anywhere near enough testing yet. I don’t think we’re anywhere near ready.”
He said he had been monitoring the issues in America closely and did not think Britons would come around.
He added: “In Britain we’re rightly extremely safety conscious. I cannot see it happening anytime soon.”
In America it has been estimated that a driverless car revolution across the country would lead to the loss of 2.9 million jobs – more than the number lost during the 2008 recession.
Job losses could even reach 10 million when taking into account delivery drivers and knock-on impacts.
Experts have also warned the software could be hacked by terrorists or criminals, leading to murders and deaths.
Former Met detective Peter Bleksley said: “This sort of thing could be a terrorist’s best friend.
“It might sound good in a James Bond movie, but in real life I think Brits would want one million per cent reassurance.
“You can bet good money organised criminals would be all over this and are even looking at it as we speak. The idea of it being hacked does not bare thinking about. It could be used to kill.”
