Driverless Cars To Be Seen On British Motorways From 2017

Sky News | Technology

* Driverless Truck developed by Daimler have already been tested
on German roads. Tests are expected to begin in Britain in months.

Driverless cars are to be tested on British roads in the near few months and may be allowed on Britain's motorways by 2017, according to a report by Sky News today.

It is expected to be announced next Wednesday during the Budget presentation of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with pilots will be carried out on 70mph carriageways later this year.

Roads of Royal Greenwich, Milton Keynes, Bristol and Coventry are among those to benefit from the trials.

Already, trials have been conducted in North Greenwich, where a driverless vehicle was introduced last year.

The Chancellor believes automated vehicles could lead to the most "fundamental" change to transport since the invention of the petrol engine and hopes they will revolutionise motoring by 2020.

"At a time of great uncertainty in the global economy, Britain must take bold decisions now to ensure it leads the world when it comes to new technologies and infrastructure." he said adding "That's what my Budget next week will seek to do."

He went on "Naturally we need to ensure safety, and that's what the trials we are introducing will test."

"If successful, we could see driverless cars available for sale and on Britain's roads, boosting UK jobs and productivity."