Motorists ‘need more training’ in driverless car skills

MOTORISTS are likely to need more training to cope with the growth of driverless car technology, according to new research.

A University of Nottingham study found that drivers of semiautonomous cars will need to be taught how to deal with the handover of control from the vehicle to the human.

Fully driverless cars – which involve no control from motorists in any circumstances – are not expected to be allowed on the UK’S roads for many years.

But semi-autonomous technology has developed rapidly in recent years, with features such as keeping cars in lanes and controlling acceleration and braking.

The University of Nottingham analysis found that 90 per cent of the group given behavioural training spotted a potential hazard during the transition from automated to manual driving, compared with drivers who simply read a handbook.

The RAC Foundation, which funded the research, believes it demonstrates the need to update the way learners are taught to drive.

Director Steve Gooding said: “Given that the driving test was revamped to include candidates being guided by a satnav, further change seems inevitable to help new drivers understand what cars can and cannot do in a world of semi-automation, where one moment the car is in control and the next it’s back to them.”