The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Self-driving cars an ‘exciting revolution’ for the elderly
Technology: Non-drivers will be given ‘a new sense of freedom’
The development of self-driving cars will be a “revolution” for many elderly and disabled people, the Transport Secretary has said.
Chris Grayling claimed the technology would give people who cannot drive a “new sense of freedom” as he gave a speech to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
He told the event in London: “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.”
Mr Grayling said 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.”
He outlined his ambition for the UK to be a world leader in autonomous vehicle technology.
After arriving at the event in a semiautonomous Tesla vehicle, which he said was able to brake and accelerate to fit in with the traffic in front, he claimed the benefits of such vehicles would be witnessed “much sooner than most people expect”.
He said: “I expect the first completely self-driving cars to reach the market and to be used on UK roads by 2021.
“We are determined that this country should be at the forefront of this revolution.”
However, 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.