Self-driving cars could send drivers back to the classroom

16 November 2020

The University of Nottingham conducted research, funded by The RAC Foundation, which found that Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) requires additional training for drivers. Specifically, drivers needed to be taught how to hand over control from the vehicle to the human. We at Marshall Minibus leasing are always keen to find out the latest news about driver assisted technology and safety.

As part of the new research, an experiment was conducted in which the participant drivers were split into two groups – one given ADAS training, and one not. The conclusion, unsurprisingly, was that those who had received the additional training fared better than those who hadn’t.  

According to the RAC, analysis found that 90% of the ADAS trained drivers spotted a potential hazard when controls were handed over from the car to the driver. 

Emily Shaw, lead author and member of the University of Nottingham’s Human Factors Research Group said, “To date, driver training for automated vehicles is no different to that provided for manual vehicles. 

“However, the introduction of intermediate levels of automation into vehicles means that the driving task is shared between the driver and system, fundamentally changing the role of the driver.” 

UK driving tests are ever evolving with the development of new driver technologies, rules and laws. Perhaps we will see ADAS training incorporated into regular driving tests, just as satnavs have been, or maybe there will be an altogether separate test for drivers wishing to use vehicle with ADAS?

Pending the results of the UK government’s safety consultation, which ran from August 18 2020 – October 27 2020,  we could see the introduction of Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS) in early 2021. Thatcham Research and The Association of British Insurers (ABI) have already expressed their concern that the technology itself needs further research. Watch this space for updates about the result of the consultation. 

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