Churchill Car Insurance surveyed 2,006 UK adults about the new technology, which is seen as a near-future target for manufacturers including Audi, Nissan, Renault, Toyota and Volvo, but still faces legal challenges before it reaches production.

The results showed widespread concern about the technology, with 60% worried about reliability issues and 31% reckoning it could result in increased breakdowns. Over half (56%) said they feared the lack of human control, 41% believe the technology will increase fuel consumption, while 32% were concerned about security issues such as hacking.

Of those surveyed, only 8% said they had no fears about the technology, but one in four claimed they would be interested in buying a car which could drive autonomously, with an average tipping point of £19,000 (€24,000)

Steve Barrett, head of Churchill Car Insurance, said: ‘Driverless cars have a long way to go before they win people’s confidence. Education on issues such as safety standards, including computer ethics is needed, as well as a re-think on existing road rules and amendments to insurance regulation.

‘It is still early days however, so a certain amount of scepticism around such a significant development is to be expected.  It is also still too early to be able to assess the implications a fully driverless car will have on insurance.’