Road surfaces in the UK need to undergo significant repairs for the government to be able to go ahead with its plans for self-driving cars by 2025.

This is the opinion of Britpave, which stated these vehicles need well-maintained road surfaces, so the cars’ sensors can work effectively and accurately. 

Britpave chairman Joe Quirke stated: “The technological advancement of self-driving vehicles needs to be matched by investment in long-term robust road solutions.”

While drivers can assess the road and determine whether they need to swerve slightly to the left or right to avoid potholes or uneven road surfaces, self-driving motors will not be able to do this. This will lead to more wear and tear on the unmanned vehicles. 

“To counteract this, roads will have to provide far more long-term robustness than they do at present,” Mr Quirke noted. 

He suggested roads be designed with more resilience to climate changes, so they do not become as effected by extreme weather.

The government intends for self-driving vehicles to be the norm within three years, which it hopes will “revolutionise public transport”. 

An official report highlighted the benefits of self-driving cars, stating they could reduce road casualties by 30 per cent by 2033, benefit the economy by £51 billion per year by 2030 as a result of fewer accidents, and increase jobs by 47,000. 

It also noted “increased road safety, improved efficiency and more cost-effective transport” as advantages of automated vehicles when they are rolled out. 

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