Driverless cars given green light to begin testing on Britain's roads

A project to test driverless vehicles is being launched. The government hopes that the move will help UK designers take the lead.

18:16 11 February 2015

Driverless cars are being tested in the London borough of Greenwich this week as an electric pod will bed used on closed roads. The project will be used to help gauge public reaction to the cars and assess legal and insurance issues.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "The UK is at the cutting edge of automotive technology - from the all-electric cars built in Sunderland to the Formula One expertise in the Midlands.

"It's important for jobs, growth and society that we keep at the forefront of innovation, that's why I launched a competition to research and develop driverless cars.

"The projects we are now funding will help to ensure we are world leaders in this field and able to benefit from what is expected to be a £900bn industry by 2025."

"Safety is paramount in our research and the vehicle is detecting moving objects around it, and if pedestrians are moving into its path it will slow down, and if they continue into its path it will come to a safe stop ahead of the pedestrian," he added.