Driverless cars: the future fleet?

Following news that the government has the green-light for trials of driverless cars in the UK, Venson Automotive Solutions’ says fleet managers could benefit from considering the future of their fleet. Results from its latest survey suggest drivers would welcome these cars as an option; 62 per cent of respondents said they be happy to sit-back and let their company car do the driving, with many saying it would remove some of the stress from their working day.

The benefits of the technology range from the possibility to reduce road accidents, to improving emissions compliance and easing congestion. The UK has begun with trials in Bristol, Greenwich, Coventry and Milton Keynes, which will look at different aspects of driverless cars, from insurance implications, to public perception.

According to Venson’s survey, respondents see convenience, freedom to work during journeys, better safety and shift of responsibility for accidents, as the main benefits of driverless cars for work. Surprisingly, only 55 per cent of respondents think driverless cars will actually reduce road traffic accidents.

“Far from the preserve of science fiction, driverless technology is here and the industry is expected to grow considerably over the next 10 years,” explains Samantha Roff, managing director for Venson Automotive Services. “Our survey shows that company car drivers would be open to the idea of a driverless car. However, it’s interesting to note that our respondents don’t think driverless technology will reduce road traffic accidents significantly. With trials set to go ahead in the UK, vehicles driven by computers could soon be a reality and many people are keen to embrace this technology and its benefits.”