A survey from Venson Automotive Solutions has revealed that company car drivers would welcome driverless cars as an option on their user chooser list. In fact, 62 percent of respondents said they’d be happy to sit-back and let their company car do the driving, with many saying it would remove some of the stress from their working day.
According to the survey, respondents see convenience, freedom to work during journeys, better safety and shift of responsibility for accidents, as the main benefits of driverless cars for work with 55 percent of respondents stating that they think driverless cars will actually reduce road traffic accidents too.
The survey follows the news last month that the Government has given the green light for testing driverless cars on UK roads in Greenwich, Coventry, Milton Keynes and Bristol.
Transport Minister Claire Perry said: “Driverless cars are the future. I want Britain to be at the forefront of this exciting new development, to embrace a technology that could transform our roads and open up a brand new route for global investment. These are still early days but today is an important step. The trials present a fantastic opportunity for this country to take a lead internationally in the development of this new technology.”
It’s not only company car drivers who welcome the news either, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) also supports the scheme.
“We are delighted to see that the government is providing the financial and legal support required to get these exciting trials underway, the BVRLA and its members are looking forward to working with these and other projects that are set to put the UK at the forefront of the driverless cars revolution,” said BVRLA Chief Executive, Gerry Keaney.
The benefits of the technology range from the possibility to reduce road accidents, to improving emissions compliance and easing congestion. The trials will also look at different aspects of driverless cars, from insurance implications, to public perception.
“Far from the preserve of science fiction, driverless technology is here and the industry is expected to grow considerably over the next 10 years,” explains Samantha Roff, managing director for Venson Automotive Solutions. “With trials set to go ahead in the UK, vehicles driven by computers could soon be a reality and many people are keen to embrace this technology and its benefits.”
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