Driverless car project gets £20m investment

DRIVERLESS car technology is to receive a £20 million boost from the Government in a bid to make roads safer and reduce traffic jams.

The investment in eight new projects has been hailed as a “landmark moment” for research and development, which will include equipping more than 40 miles of roads and motorways with talking car technologies.

Driverless shuttles for people with visual impairments are among the projects to benefit from the money, which has been awarded from the £100 million Intelligent Mobility Fund.

It is hoped that better technology can also improve road safety by sending updates to cars about nearby accidents or hazards.

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief executive Mike Hawes said that the development of new technology has the potential to save thousands of lives and generate 320,000 jobs as well as £51 billion for the UK economy.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “These projects will help profoundly change the way we travel within years, transforming our roads by making travel a simpler experience for drivers, reducing accidents and helping traffic flow more smoothly.

“This is a landmark moment and will allow Britain to lead the way in the testing of connected and autonomous vehicles.”