Third of Britons declare they’re higher than their automotive’s expertise

We may be edging ever nearer to a world of self-driving cars and fully-autonomous vehicles, but a survey has found many Britons barely trust the technology already fitted to their motors today.

A poll of 2,000 drivers revealed a surprising number are reluctant to use their car’s modern-day tech because they think they can do a better job.

Nearly two in five of respondents believe they are more adept at finding a faster route than their sat nav system, half reckon they have better reaction times than collision-avoidance software – and claim they can modulate speed more smoothly than cruise control.

Some 37 per cent of licence holders surveyed by online vehicle marketplace heycar said their own human compass is better than their satellite navigation system, despite the latter’s pinpoint accuracy and use of real-time traffic updates.

Surprisingly, the youngest – and therefore generally most tech-savvy – drivers age 18 to 34 were found to be least likely to trust a sat-nav and put their faith in their own sense of direction and map reading abilities.

Drivers in Scotland (54 per cent), Yorkshire (45 per cent) and Wales (44 per cent) were the most confident in their abilities, rating their internal compass the highest in the UK.

When asked about how they modulate their speed on motorways, 39 per cent of Britons say they’re better than cruise control.

The research also uncovered that women are more reluctant to use this feature, with 43 per cent of female respondents thinking they maintain speed better manually. 

Men are a little more open to relying on the tech, with just 35 per cent saying they have better throttle control than their car’s system.

Drivers in the North East (46 per cent), Wales (44 per cent) and London (43 per cent) were the most confident in their ability to manage speed.

The study also looked at autonomous parking features, which can help motorists locate and park in parallel spaces – and even those like Tesla Summon, which can drive itself in and out of bays with the owner stood outside.

Despite these system being available – and motorists commonly complaining about prangs in car parks – some 57 per cent of the panel said they don’t trust parking features.

Older drivers were even less convinced, with 69 per cent of over-55’s believing they are better at parking.

The majority of the UK drivers surveyed acknowledged the superiority of modern in-car technology over human capabilities when it came to aspects such as collision navigation and parking sensors, with 53 per cent and 74 per cent, respectively, believing their car does a better job than them. 

However, despite having less experience, the 18-to-34 age group is most confident with half (49 per cent) thinking they are better than their cars’ collision avoidance.

‘While technology continues to advance and enhance our driving experience, it’s clear that many drivers still trust their own instincts and abilities over automated systems. This blend of human expertise and technological assistance may ultimately lead to the safest roads yet,’ heycar’s chief marketing officer, Dermot Kelleher, says.

Self-driving cars are coming… whether motorists want them or not 

Despite drivers’ hesitation to rely on in-car tech, the Government is continuing to push ahead with plans to allow self-driving vehicles on our roads.

In May, the Automated Vehicles Act received Royal Assent to become law, paving the way in law for self-driving cars to be used from 2026.

The legislation delivers ‘the most comprehensive legal framework of its kind worldwide’ for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles in Britain, according to the Department for Transport. 

However, experts say secondary legislation is still required in order to iron out liability issues if crashes occur and cybersecurity risk. 

Days after becoming law, a poll of 2,078 motorists across Britain found that three in five reckon they’re superior on the road than technology powering autonomous vehicles.  

The research, conducted by Volkswagen Financial Services, found 60 per cent of motorists consider themselves to be a ‘better’ driver than a driverless car, casting doubt on driver willingness to hand over control of the vehicle.

And further reticence is seen with views around the reliability of self-driving tech.

When asked what they felt would be the biggest disadvantage of fully automated cars, two in five drivers expressed concerns about ‘technological failings or mishaps’. 

Meanwhile, one in ten stated that non-active participation could lead to them ‘becoming bored’ on a driverless car journey.

However, when asked about the advantages of fully automated driving, 27 per cent felt the technology would remove unsafe drivers from the roads, while 30 per cent stated they did not think there was any significant benefit.

Despite public reluctance around driverless vehicles, the automotive trade body believes the tech will bring significant safety and economic enhancements. 

Research by The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders suggests self-driving technology will save 3,900 lives and prevent 60,000 serious road accidents by 2040, as well as provide an economic boost in the region of £66billion.

However, the first major scientific report on advanced AI safety published earlier this year found there are inherent risks too.

The study – the first iteration of the International Scientific Report on Advanced AI Safety – warns there is not universal agreement among experts on a range of topics around artificial intelligence.

Their main points of concerns are around the state of current AI capabilities and how those could evolve over time, and the likelihood of extreme risks occurring, such as losing control over the technology.

The report identified three main categories of risk around AI: malicious use, risks from malfunctions, and systemic risks.