More driver training needed to ensure road safety into the future.

According to IAM RoadSmart, the government and car makers must prioritise training for drivers  as the concept of autonomous vehicles grabs the headlines.

The charity was giving evidence to a House of Commons Transport Committee Inquiry.

Look no hands

Government plans outline self-driving vehicles on UK roads from 2025. But some vehicles with self-driving features will be operating on motorways as soon as next year.

IAM RoadSmart’s main concern for road safety is the level of knowledge and experience of current UK motorists. Most road users currently have no direct experience of self-driving vehicle technology. Moreover, assumptions about the vehicles’ safety are not based on real-world testing on UK roads.

Losing attention

Research conducted by IAM RoadSmart, in collaboration with Southampton University, shows that there could be an over-reliance on self-driving technology. Concerns centre on when  control is switched between the vehicle and the driver.

Coaching is clearly shown to deliver safer drivers in simulator studies. This  backs the call for  more training for drivers about the capabilities of the technology. This way, driver will have a better understanding about levels of attention needed , as well as appreciating how different types of roads users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles, will interact with autonomous systems.

Ensuring the future

“We support the government’s intention to make the UK a world leader in driverless technology,” says Neil Greig, Policy and Research Director at IAM RoadSmart. “There is a critical need to train drivers in the new skills they will need to safely control increasingly autonomous cars. Research shows clearly that drivers who know what to expect if an autonomous car suddenly hands back control are better able to deal with the situation calmly and safely. It is vital that the government works with the DVSA and training providers, such as IAM RoadSmart, to develop new resources to educate drivers.

“Thankfully, people are moving away from the assumption that self-driving cars will remove the 90% of collisions allegedly caused by human error. With further research we can understand all the factors that may play a part in future collisions.”

Under control

The new Road Safety Investigation Branch (RSIB) will go some way to addressing these concerns. Evaluating the safety performance of self-driving cars should be a top priority for the branch according to the charity.

The independent RSIB will learn lessons from road collisions and autonomous technology. Its role will be to carry out investigations, evaluate safety trends and ensure road safety policy is fit for purpose.

Neil  welcomes the establishment of the RSIB, and it’s monitoring of the impact of automation on road safety. “It will be best placed to provide strategic insights, but investigations must be fully funded to ensure the right expertise is recruited and key findings can be shared”.

To learn more about IAM RoadSmart, visit www.iamroadsmart.com.