As it stands, distracted driving represents the most common cause of everyday collisions and serious accidents on UK roads. Texting or fiddling with electronic devices while driving is a serious offence, which most responsible drivers take seriously.
Increasingly, cars are being fitted with the kind of technology that issues gentle reminders when we lose focus. A prominent example of which being lane departure warning systems, which beep, buzz and bring our attention back to what matters.
All well and good, but is the UK genuinely ready for total automation? By this, we mean the kind of 100% hands-free driving where your car takes care of everything on your behalf.
In any case, there are some who believe the first 100% automated driving experiences will be ‘enjoyed’ by motorists on UK roads as early as next year. Automation is already playing a role in the way millions get around, but the level of automation we’ll soon be relying on is apparently set to shift like never before.
Here’s how the automation scale looks in brief:
Level 0 – No Automation
Traditional vehicle technology and control systems with no automation.
Level 1 – Driver Assistance
Vehicles fitted with features like lane keep assistance and adaptive cruise control, which have been around for some time.
Level 2 – Partial Automation
More advanced technology which can partially automate the steering and speed control of a vehicle, which is helpful and can boost safety, though is by no means ‘hands-free’ in nature.
Level 3 – Conditional Automation
Cars with conditional automation technology are technically able to operate autonomously. They can drive on certain roads in conditions 100% hands-free, but the ‘driver’ still needs to be completely focused on what’s happening and ready to grab the controls if necessary.
Level 4 – Optional Full Automation
Initially, cars that feature full automation technology are likely to have the hands-free setting as an option. You’ll be able to drive your car in a fully manual mode if you like, but you could also activate the ‘autopilot’ mode and have a snooze behind the wheel.
Level 5 – Total Automation
Quite possibly where the vast majority of vehicles will be heading at some point in the future, which won’t feature any manual controls whatsoever. You’ll have no choice but to let the car do its thing, with little to no input on your part.
Cars with the first two levels of automation have been around for some time, though we’re yet to see level 3 make much of a mark on UK roads. This is the level of automation some see coming into its own as early as 2021, which many believe could prevent tens of thousands of accidents and injuries each year.
Realistically, however, it’s unlikely we’ll be seeing a hands-free revolution on the roads anytime soon. Along with the costs and relatively scarce availability of the technology, research suggests most UK motorists aren’t nearly ready to put their health and safety (and that of their families) in the hands of technology alone.
In which case, the short answer is no – the UK in general apparently isn’t ready for hands-free driving, just yet!
