Completely driverless cars will be on the streets of Britain within just FOUR years, claims Transport Secretary
Chris Grayling says the development of self-driving technology will be a ‘revolution’ for many elderly and disabled people
DRIVERLESS cars will be on the streets of Britain within just FOUR years, according to a prediction by the Transport Secretary.
Chris Grayling says the development of self-driving technology will be a “revolution” for many elderly and disabled people.
In a speech to the Association of British Insurers this morning he said: “I think this is the real core of the revolution that lies ahead.”
And Mr Grayling said people will not have all that long to wait to see it happen.
Speaking at the event in the City of London the minister said: "I expect the first completely self-driving cars to reach the market and to be used on UK roads by 2021.
"I want to see that revolution be happening by then. We are determined that this country should be at the forefront of this revolution."
He added there were "huge safety implications" for removing control of vehicles from drivers, telling the audience: "Self-driving cars should make road travel far safer by eliminating the biggest contributory factor in accidents today - human error."
But outlining his ambition for the UK to be a world leader in autonomous vehicle technology he said: "The potential benefits of these new technologies for human mobility and wider society are tremendously exciting.
"I think this is the real core of the revolution that lies ahead.
"There are many people who cannot drive today, who cannot travel on our roads today, who will be able to take to the roads in future.
"The elderly, people with disabilities, who cannot drive today are going to discover a new sense of freedom and opportunity and independence.
"That probably is the biggest transformation that will happen."
To help do so a "cluster of excellence" is to be created along the M40 corridor to develop driverless car technology using existing testing centres in Birmingham, Coventry, Oxford, Milton Keynes and London.
But an RAC poll in July found that two out of five motorists believe the Government should concentrate on improving roads instead of supporting the growth of autonomous vehicles.
