Drivers demand insurance against hackers in autonomous cars

Drivers demand insurance cover against hackers

Seventy-four percent of drivers think insurers should provide cover for damage caused by hackers accessing control systems in driverless cars, according to a survey by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart.
Almost 1,200 people responded to the survey which sought opinions on what driverless cars will mean for them as the UK heads towards autonomous vehicles becoming mainstream. The results of this survey have been used to guide IAM RoadSmart’s response to the Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles’ consultation.
When asked whether they agree with the proposal that in future insurers must include cover for driverless cars in their new policies, almost half — 46 percent — said this was a good or very good idea. However, this view shifted when asked whether they’d still agree if this adds to the cost of insurance for all drivers, with 68 percent disagreeing with the proposition, versus 23 percent who agreed.
Those surveyed were largely not in favor of driver assistance systems being able to take over from the driver. When asked if they agreed with amending Highway Code rule 150, ‘do not rely on driver assistance systems’, 55 percent said no compared to 35 percent who said yes.
And when it comes to self-driving cars maneuvering themselves with no occupant in the car, those surveyed were vehemently against changing the rules to allow it.
When asked if the Highway Code rules (which currently say that you should be in full control of a vehicle and switch off the engine when you are not in it) should be changed to allow a car to park itself, just 6 percent supported this statement strongly. Some 13 percent supported it, but 69 percent didn’t support it at all.