Google driver-less cars spark concern among Irish motorists

Drivers claim automated cars are “safety issue”

• Nearly half of Over 65s welcome new technology, while millennials most wary

Irish motorists will need some convincing before trying driver-less cars according to a survey carried out by AA Membership. Seventy percent of Irish people say they would think twice before hopping into one. The poll of over 9,000 Irish drivers showed that, somewhat surprisingly, the younger generation are more sceptical about the technology than people over the age of 65.

While not yet seen on Irish roads, the robotic cars are available to drive in America with four states including Michigan, California, Nevada and Florida all permitting their operation. However, the AA Membership research shows that nearly half of Irish motorists are unsure about how safe the technology would be. Many of those polled queried how the vehicles would react in unexpected situations with some feeling they will lack that all-important human instinct.

Despite this, over 65’s were the most enthusiastic about the new driving technology with nearly 40% claiming that they would “jump at the chance” to travel in one. Applauding their ability to provide ease of access, many participants felt the cars should be mandatory for older generations as well as disabled drivers. Interestingly, just 32% of those aged 25-35 said they were enthusiastic about the technology, the lowest level of all age groups polled.

“We are continuing to make great headway when it comes to technology, and driver-less cars have the potential to be truly liberating,” says Conor Faughnan, director of consumer affairs at The AA.

“The older generation and those who are disabled, as well as people living in rural areas would greatly benefit from these cars. Although many people seem to think this driving technology is still in the distant future, it is actually here now. I would compare it to mobile phones – originally they were as big and heavy as a concrete brick but we got from there to the iPhone in 15 years. If driverless cars show anything like that pace of development they could be commonplace within a decade.”

Over 9,000 people took part in the AA Membership poll and their responses showed that Irish people enjoy the act of driving. In what is good news for traditional car manufacturers, 66% claimed they would miss the “physical act” of driving too much to permanently switch to a self-driving motor. Piloting vehicles along lengthy stretches of motorway and winding around narrow country lanes were all driver favourites.

The AA also received hundreds of individual comments on the subject from poll recipients. Many said that they would have concerns about data privacy and security in a driverless car. Others felt the technology could not yet be trusted as safe.

“The privacy concern is a legitimate one, although in reality the exact same concern exists about the smartphones that we all carry,” says Faughnan. “As for safety, we now trust robots to fly planes for us. There is reason to believe that they would be every bit as safe and probably safer than a human driver; the problem is not so much the technology itself as people’s faith in something as new as a robotic car. The AA is not worried – we can confidently predict that they will still break down!”

Fig. 1 A number of car companies and organizations are actively working on developing driver-less cars at the moment. We’re curious to know how the Irish motoring population feel about them. Please indicate how you would respond if given the opportunity to travel in one in the near future. 

Fig 2. To what extent OVER 65’s would respond if given the opportunity to travel in a driver-less car.

Fig 2. To what extent 23-35’s would respond if given the opportunity to travel in a driver-less car.