Amanda Stretton, a motoring journalist and former racing driver who lives in Oxfordshire, was responding to comments made by Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith at the Conservative Party Conference.
She criticised the suggestion that self-driving cars could transform transport in rural communities, warning existing road infrastructure is not ready for the technology.
Speaking at a fringe event in Birmingham, Mr Griffith argued that autonomous vehicles could provide a major benefit to older and disabled people living in rural areas who are no longer able to drive.
He suggested driverless vehicles could help tackle transport challenges in countryside communities where bus services are limited.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ms Stretton said the proposal showed “a complete lack of understanding” of how self-driving technology currently works, describing it as “just nonsense”.
She explained that autonomous vehicles rely heavily on road infrastructure, including clear road markings, signs and consistent road layouts in order to operate effectively.
“I live in Oxfordshire and just looking at the roads around me, the actual infrastructure of our roads is not up to it,” she said.
She added that self-driving vehicles “need a certain level of uniform road structure”, including painted lines and clearly marked areas, which are often absent on narrow rural roads.
The comments come as the UK continues to push forward with the development of autonomous vehicle technology, including through the work of London-based technology company Wayve.
Earlier this year, the firm signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government focused on sharing research and supporting the responsible deployment of self-driving vehicles in the UK.
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle (Image: PA)
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said at the time that the partnership demonstrated the Government was backing “high-growth British scale-ups”.
Wayve has also announced plans to launch commercial robotaxi trials in London, while ride-hailing giant Uber introduced a small fleet of self-driving taxis in the capital in September using the firm’s technology.
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