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We're Actually Pretty Relaxed About The Introduction Of Driverless Cars

Welcome to the future.

A new study has shown that Australians are open to the idea of driverless cars, wanting them to take the wheel when they are bored, tired or under the influence.

The study found a massive seven out of ten Australians would be keen for a self driving car to take over from them when they are too tired or bored in traffic.

Conducted by the Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative (ADVI), the study surveyed a random group of 5,200 people over the age of 18.

Australian Road Research Board Chief Scientist, Professor Michael Regan, says that although driverless cars aren't available to the public yet, Australians are quite advanced in their thinking towards them.

"ADVI's preliminary findings show the majority of the Australian community is already willing to trust self-driving cars in situations where they don't feel capable to drive or when they would simply rather not because it's boring or they're in traffic," he said.

The study also found that 82 percent of people recognise the futuristic cars would provide greater mobility for those with driving impairments.

Could this be the way of the future in Australia?
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Could this be the way of the future in Australia?

The first ever death from a driverless car was recorded in May, when the car t-boned a semi trailer in Florida, tragically killing the man inside.

Regan said that only a quarter of Australians disagree the cars would be safer than people driving but a quarter remain undecided. He believes this highlights the importance for community education about the vehicles.

Regan said this is needed to ensure safety benefits are communicated and that individual incidents don't delay a safe introduction of the cars onto Australian roads.

Driverless cars have recently been tested in both Australia and the UK, indicating that the future of transport may be a lot sooner than previously expected.

Drink driving is still a big problem in Australia so it's no surprise 55 percent of those surveyed would use a self driving car when they'd had alcohol, drugs or medication.

The majority of those surveyed said they'd mostly like to observe scenery or interact with other passengers in the driverless vehicle and only a small percentage said they'd sleep during the journey.

Interestingly, although new in technology, 62 percent of Aussie's were not willing to pay more for an autonomous vehicle.

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