Revealed: The 10-second danger window when humans take back control of self-driving cars
- University of Nottingham measured behaviour of 17 motorists using the tech
- They braked and accelerated erratically immediate after taking back control
- Study also observed the distracting impact of having a passenger onboard
Motorists will soon be sharing the road with other cars that are driving themselves.
With Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS) already cleared for use on Britain's motorways and the Automated Vehicles Act receiving Royal Assent earlier this year, vehicles with more advanced self-driving tech could be here as early as 2026.
It will allow for drivers to take their eyes off the road to engage in different tasks, though rules will require for them to take back control when prompted to do so.
Yet a new study has revealed that the first 10 seconds when humans are back in charge of cars will be the most dangerous as it found drivers behave more erratically during this window.
![A new study has revealed that the 10 second period after a motorist takes back control from self-driving vehicle technology is potentially the most dangerous](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/12/12/85117585-13627729-While_ministers_want_to_accelerate_the_transition_to_autonomous_-a-2_1720784845744.jpg)
A new study has revealed that the 10 second period after a motorist takes back control from self-driving vehicle technology is potentially the most dangerous
This is according to a new study carried out by the University of Nottingham on behalf of the RAC Foundation road safety charity.
It measured the behaviour of 17 motorists, each accompanied by a front seat passenger, who made a number of trips in a driving simulator programmed to represent a so-called 'Level 3' automated vehicle.
ALKS is a component of Level 3 automation (there are six levels in total), meaning this technology is already in use in Britain.
![There are six levels of vehicle automation. Level 3 is currently the highest legally allowed on UK roads today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/12/12/32088422-13627729-There_are_six_levels_of_vehicle_automation_Level_3_is_currently_-m-5_1720785024263.jpg)
There are six levels of vehicle automation. Level 3 is currently the highest legally allowed on UK roads today
![The Automated Vehicles Act could see fully self-driving tech from 2026, ministers have said](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/12/12/32088422-13627729-Ford_BlueCruise_is_designated_Level_2_automation_meaning_drivers-m-7_1720785035715.jpg)
The Automated Vehicles Act could see fully self-driving tech from 2026, ministers have said
![The Automated Vehicles Act has been enacted into law and will deliver the legal framework for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles across Britain within two years](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/12/12/85005447-13627729-The_Automated_Vehicles_Act_has_been_enacted_into_law_this_week_a-a-3_1720784919448.jpg)
The Automated Vehicles Act has been enacted into law and will deliver the legal framework for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles across Britain within two years
Researchers observed that 'vehicular control during the ten seconds immediately after resuming manual driving was generally poor in the case of all participants'.
It added: 'The drivers were seen braking and accelerating erratically, and wavering in their lanes in the immediate aftermath of taking back manual control of the vehicle.'
The study team believe that in some cases these exaggerated inputs into the pedals and steering wheel might have been the driver demonstrating to 'their passenger that they were now in control'.
Responding to the findings, Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: 'Unfortunately, this study – like the ones we previously commissioned – show that the handover process between human and machine is less than smooth and far from quick, raising serious questions as to whether this sort of intermediate technology will ever become commonplace, let alone safe.
'Meantime the transition to a world where the driver of the car becomes the passenger at least some of the time raises important questions about the human-machine interface.'
![The research was carried out by the University of Nottingham on behalf of the RAC Foundation. It required 17 drivers (each with a passenger) to complete three routes using semi-autonomous technology](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/12/12/87250897-13627729-image-a-10_1720785364415.jpg)
The research was carried out by the University of Nottingham on behalf of the RAC Foundation. It required 17 drivers (each with a passenger) to complete three routes using semi-autonomous technology
Passengers in semi-autonomous cars could improve safety
Most studies carried out to test the effectiveness of autonomous vehicle tech are based on a driver being alone in the car. But not this one.
Participants were asked to complete three different journeys across three days, all of them with a passenger onboard.
And the report found that having another person inside the vehicle could improve safety.
Their presence was found to 'improve drivers’ focus on the road and help them to decide when manual control is needed in self-driving vehicles'.
Having a front seat passenger also helped prevent drivers from falling asleep, the study claims.
However, their presence also created more distractions during the periods when the vehicle was driving itself.
Occupants spent a lot of time in conversation with each other and on their tech – predominantly smartphones – often showing one another the content.
Some pairs watched films together and even played online chess against each other whilst the car was driving.
![Having a front seat passenger helped prevent drivers from falling asleep, the study claims](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/12/12/87250903-13627729-Having_a_front_seat_passenger_helped_prevent_drivers_from_fallin-a-13_1720785536544.jpg)
Having a front seat passenger helped prevent drivers from falling asleep, the study claims
![A passenger's presence also created more distractions during the periods when the vehicle was driving itself. Occupants spent a lot of time in conversation with each other and on their tech – predominantly smartphones – often showing one another the content. One pair even played an online game of chess against one another](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/12/12/87250893-13627729-image-a-14_1720785543717.jpg)
A passenger's presence also created more distractions during the periods when the vehicle was driving itself. Occupants spent a lot of time in conversation with each other and on their tech – predominantly smartphones – often showing one another the content. One pair even played an online game of chess against one another
On more than one occasion (5 out of 17 instances), the pair was so absorbed in their activities during the self-driving portion of the route that they missed their pre-determined exit junction from the motorway.
Dr David R Large, Senior Research Fellow at the Human Factors Research Group at the University of Nottingham, said: 'The presence of passengers has been shown to distract drivers during manual driving, so this study allowed us to identify whether the same could be said for conditional automation.
'Our study highlighted the distraction that passengers continue to pose inside these vehicles, but also the value they can offer. We observed passengers providing help and assistance to drivers during manual takeovers of the vehicles, and sharing the responsibility of keeping the focus on the road when needed.'
On 20 May 2024 the Automated Vehicle Bill became law, paving the way for fully autonomous cars on UK roads.
The legislation delivers 'the most comprehensive legal framework of its kind worldwide' for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles in Britain, according to the Department for Transport.
Former Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the technology will be 'a real boost to both safety and our economy', potentially unlocking an industry estimated to be worth up to £42billion and that could create 38,000 jobs by 2035.
It outlines that drivers should be considered as 'users in charge' when self-driving tech is activated and therefore not responsible if a crash takes place. Culpability would instead lie with the vehicle or autonomous tech manufacturer.
However, experts say secondary legislation is still required in order to iron out liability issues if collisions occur as well as the threat of cybersecurity breaches.