According to specialists, the increase of automated vehicles will improve traffic safety and fuel efficiency. On the other hand, motorists are more reserved.
“Automated vehicles are a concept that is hard to grasp for many people because their development is still in its early stages. This applies to specialists and regular drivers alike. The survey results demonstrate the high expectations set for the new technology: people set the bar remarkably higher for a computer’s driving performance than that of a person,” states Chief Adviser Eetu Pilli-Sihvola referring to the results of Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom’s recent survey.
The survey results showed that specialists regard automated driving positively whereas it was clear that drivers’ opinions are divided. Motorists estimated that automated driving will increase the risks associated with traffic. The division of drivers’ opinions was quite even: 50% felt that the safety level would be sufficient only if the number of deaths or serious injuries would decrease by at least half from the current level.
Nearly half of the surveyed specialists required a zero tolerance for deaths and serious injuries in traffic. At the same time, a quarter of respondents were ready to accept a safety level equivalent to the current state. Specialists estimated that traffic safety will not improve significantly until 20–50 years from now.
Specialists have faith in the advantages of self-driving cars
Specialists gave higher estimates than drivers for the advantages of self-driving cars. Drivers considered the most likely benefits to relate to fuel efficiency, lower emissions and increased travel comfort. For specialists, on the other hand, the most likely benefits were improved safety, better fuel efficiency, and lower insurance costs.
Drivers were most concerned about self-driving cars getting confused in unexpected situations, the car’s functioning in bad weather conditions, and breakdowns. Specialists were most concerned about interaction with pedestrians, cyclists and non-automated vehicles.
Only 22% of drivers were either very interested or somewhat interested in owning or leasing an entirely self-driving car.
Further information:
How safe must automated cars be? (External link) (in Finnish)
Traficom’s publications (External link) (in Finnish)
Eetu Pilli-Sihvola, Chief Adviser, tel. +358 29 534 5572, eetu.pilli-sihvola@traficom.fi , Twitter @EPilliSihvola (External link)