In total, 32% said they’d consider self-driving vehicles, which have been in the news with Google having revealed a prototype of its self-driving car.

TrackCompare director Kjell Anderton said: ‘Although some people left light-hearted comments, this poll was taken remarkably seriously by the vast majority of respondents. For example, we were told “I would need to learn more about it: who would insure them?”; “I don’t think these would be good for fleets”; “Not just yet; give it another 10 years”; “I definitely would consider them; I would even consider buying them” and “Yes, it’s cheaper and safer than a regular car. Aircraft use similar technology, so why not?”’

Other comments included:

• ‘Not in a million years.’
• ‘No way. The idea freaks me out.’
• ‘I think the problem is they would cause accidents, so not for my drivers.’
• ‘No way. These will never take off.’
• ‘A three-point turn would turn into a 50-point turn in this! I don’t think they’d be a good idea, not for fleets anyway. For social and pleasure use, maybe.’

According to supporters, the benefits of self-driving vehicles range from safer roads and no crashes to reduced congestion and pollution.

Opponents maintain traffic and urban sprawl would be made worse by the vehicles because, without the need to drive, commuters could choose to travel further.