- New AXA UK analysis shows self-driving vehicles could save the NHS up to £2.3bn every year in medical and ambulance costs associated with crashes on our roads
- According to Department for Transport data, 85% of collisions involve an element of human error that would be eliminated with a self-driving vehicle
AXA UK is calling on the Government to prioritise self-driving legislation in the forthcoming King’s Speech after new analysis revealed it has the potential to save the UK billions of pounds in costs relating to road crashes.
Government data has shown road collisions cost the UK £43.2bn in 2022. Of this, £2.3bn was a direct expense to the NHS for medical and ambulance costs1. With 85% of all road crashes involving an element of human error according to the Department for Transport2, self-driving technology could have a significant financial impact.
The Law Commission made recommendations last year on a regulatory framework for self driving following a three-year study, which the Government accepted. AXA UK says the 75 recommendations now need to be adopted into legislation as a priority.
Without it, the UK could miss out on opportunities to attract investment. The self-driving industry is expected to be worth £42bn to the UK economy by 2035 and create 50,000 highly skilled green jobs. Having once been a global leader in the motor industry, any delay could irreversibly impact the UK’s ability to once again lead the world in this exciting technological advance.
As well as offering financial and employment benefits, self-driving technology has the potential to unlock mobility issues for thousands of people across the UK including the elderly, those with disabilities and the young, especially in remote areas where there are few transport options.
Footnotes
1 Reported road casualties Great Britain, annual report: 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), ras4001.ods (live.com)
2 Government paves the way for self-driving vehicles on UK roads - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)