Research from Allianz has found that the UK tops the European table of concerned drivers in relation to the safety of automated vehicles. It has also highlighted that details around data sharing from such vehicles still need to be clarified. The Automated Vehicles Act, which came into force in 2024, means automated vehicles could be on UK roads from next year.

Allianz surveyed 8,000 people from the UK and six European countries – France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Czech Republic. It found that 74% of UK respondents felt automated vehicles may not be safe enough in unpredictable situations. Responses in other countries ranged from 71% to 67%.

The UK also showed the highest levels of concern in relation to other issues such as not having control of an automated vehicle, data security, and the ability of automated vehicles to make ethical decisions.

Alexandra Wyard, director of technical underwriting at Allianz UK, said: “The Act positions the UK as a global leader in AV regulation. But we need to look quickly at the role of insurers to make sure owners of these vehicles have the support they need to confidently take this next step in the evolution of driving.

“A lot of drivers remain concerned about what will happen if there is a crash when the car is in autonomous mode. Timely access to data from vehicles is going to be a necessity to help law enforcement and insurers know what happened and who is liable. How this information will be safely shared still remains an outstanding question.”