Driverless cars require the toughest of testing | Letters

Your editorial (Humans must not become back-seat drivers for computers, 2 July) reaches the right conclusions that cars will be safer when humans no longer drive, but there is much more to it than recognising large white articulated trucks, paper bags or aggressive drivers. Doesn't the software need a driving test?

The pressure for autonomous driving comes from the Googles, Baidus and Apples of this world, who want the drivers' time to surf the web or download their music. They want totally autonomous vehicles, without steering wheels, that will revolutionise transport for the old, the young and the disabled. The car companies are being pushed, reluctantly, into this revolution, clinging on to their marketing pitch of selling the "driving experience" and keeping the steering wheel available for the driver to use. No revolution here for the old, young and disabled.