‘It is not clear if the Government’s motive is driven by economics or safety,’ says George Lee, national director of the RSMA.  ‘If the former, we need to focus on mass movement – primarily of freight – over long distances; if the latter, the emphasis must be where safety improvements are most needed – namely rural A-roads.  Neither of these issues is being addressed by driverless car trials in urban streets.

‘By 2025, more than half the travel on Europe’s roads will be in vehicles which can read the road ahead including markings and signs,’ he says. ‘But vehicles, like drivers, cannot function if basic road markings and signs are worn out, non-compliant, inconsistent or confusing; and roadworks, potholes and failed traffic lights continue to present every-day obstacles to road users.’

The RSMA’s most recent survey of the UK’s road network shows that half of markings on local authority roads in England need replacing immediately or scheduled for replacing, while just 12% of markings on local authority roads are excellent. Highways England roads fare little better with 52% of markings on motorways needing immediate replacement or scheduled for replacing and only 17% of markings on all roads rated as excellent.

‘Driverless car trials in towns and cities are exciting, but getting the basic network in shape first – no matter how dull it may sound – is fundamental to success.  Imagine the disappointment of unwrapping the most desirable Christmas present, only to find ‘batteries not included’. 

‘The network must be fixed long before autonomous vehicles can work on our roads. It would be a huge step forward if we could have roads that can be read easily by humans – who at the moment, make up the vast majority of road users,’ added Lee.