Self-driving cars could hit U.K. roads next year
![Self-driving cars could hit U.K. roads next year](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iwWEgNwxG5GWeQWEQRJhVh-415-80.jpg)
Self-driving cars could appear on U.K. roads as early as next year, according to BBC News.
The vehicles are scheduled be tested in 2015. They'll still be controlled by a driver, though. The tests will involve a group of cars following one another, with one human driver leading the way, aided by Wi-Fi and laser sensors.
U.K. ministers recently visited Sweden to witness tests of the technology, The Sunday Times reports. The department for transportation claimed that "no decision had been reached" on a trial start date for the vehicles, and that safety is "of paramount importance" for driverless cars.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
While human drivers are still required in case of emergencies, they will hopefully "relax" during the ride, says the BBC. Researchers proposed the drivers eat or read on the trip.
Not all U.K. residents are happy. Some groups have expressed concern that a group of self-driving vehicles would be "intimidating" to other humans on the road. A poll by the AA, a roadside assistance service in the U.K., found that 65 percent of people would prefer driving to riding in a self-driving car.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.
-
Ukraine's Olympians: going for gold in the line of fire
Under the Radar Hundreds of the country's athletes have died in battle, while those who remain deal with the psychological toll of war and prospect of Russian competitors
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Democrats now have a chance to present a vigorous, compelling case'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What has Kamala Harris done as vice president?
In Depth It's not uncommon for the second-in-command to struggle to prove themselves in a role largely defined by behind-the-scenes work
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published