Majority of UK adults have reservations about autonomous lorries coming to Britain’s roads

Majority of UK adults have reservations about autonomous lorries coming to Britain’s roads

trans.info — 2023-07-05

Land transportation

A survey of 2,000 UK adults found that over half of those who participated expressed strong reservations about the idea of self-driving freight vehicles on UK roads.

The research, conducted by Aimpoint Digital, found that respondents highlighted the following concerns about autonomous vehicles in particular:

  • Safety of other road users (70%)
  • Increased risks to pedestrians (64%)
  • The technology’s inability to respond to real-life driving conditions (64%)
  • Job losses (52%)
  • Lack of regulation surrounding the technology used in autonomous vehicles (45%)
  • Fear of autonomous vehicles being prone to cyber-attacks or hacking (44%)

In addition to the above, respondents expressed reservations concerning environmental issues, legal complications, and the belief that self-driving vehicles would be less effective than driver-operated ones.

Despite the above, Aimpoint Digital describes the global arrival of self-driving freight as “inevitable”.

In a press release accompanying the key findings of its survey, Aimpoint Digital said, “We believe in the transformative potential of AI and autonomous technologies. We are committed to fostering understanding and acceptance of these advancements, paving the way for a future where technology and human ingenuity coexist and thrive.

The data analytics consulting firm added, “While apprehensions are understandable, our research highlights that individuals well-versed in AI are significantly more receptive to the idea. This underscores the importance of AI and automation literacy in facilitating a smooth transition toward a more autonomous future.