I’ve discovered a hill to die on. Driverless vehicles. Why? Actually, why? If driverless vehicles are the reply, then what’s the query? Who requested for them? Oh sure, they’re tremendous for the novelty worth, for the lols, for the clicks. We most likely know somebody who’s been to California or China and despatched residence a video of their driverless journey. Tremendous enjoyable for feeble minds, should you ask me. And feeble-minded is how we’re all going to finish up if this insanity takes maintain.

It’s been a slippery slope for the reason that invention of computerized transmission, rendering our left legs and arms redundant and sparing us the difficulty of feeling our approach up and down by the gears. Then there was the approaching of satnav, earlier than which period we wanted a way of the place we have been on the planet and which course we have been dealing with. Now that’s gone, we will discover our approach wherever with out actually realizing the place it’s. Not good.

However OK; I drive an computerized and I take advantage of satnav, so I’ll concede on these, in addition to on a few of the security options, cruise management, pace limiter and so forth. However the line has obtained to be drawn someplace – and it’s time to get the pen out.

There are innovations that fall the suitable aspect of that line – washing machines and dishwashers spring to thoughts. However there’s a distinction between labour-saving and lobotomising. I do a variety of driving and, whereas I usually despair on the recklessness and stupidity of some drivers, largely I marvel on the miracle of talent and cooperation that’s the craft of driving. Every of us on the wheel takes accountability for highly effective, heavy machines, working with tons of, 1000’s, thousands and thousands of others to maintain issues shifting. Sure, issues can go calamitously incorrect, however overwhelmingly issues don’t. It’s astonishing, when you concentrate on it.

Will driverless vehicles do any higher? I doubt it. And the place will that depart us, the ex-drivers, slack-jawed, de-skilled, slouched with out objective within the again seat? With nothing to do besides stare out of the window and dream up extra clever-dick tech we may do with out.

And right here’s the true tragedy – how a lot the tech-bro willy-wavers may obtain in the event that they put their undoubtedly good minds to raised use. How a few gamechanging various to fossil fuels, for instance, or street surfaces that don’t develop potholes. Be happy so as to add to this wishlist. If driverless vehicles are wherever close to your Prime 10, then I’m afraid we will’t be buddies.

Adrian Chiles is a broadcaster, author and Guardian columnist