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Friday, 2 October 2026

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Motorway traffic drones are coming to UK roads, but will they drive us to distraction?

UK economy desk, Trade News UK (2026-06-20): National Highways agency uses virtual reality test to see if drivers are distracted by introduction of low-flying drones I’m barrelling down the motorway at… Primary source: original at The Guardian (theguardian.com).

Motorway traffic drones are coming to UK roads, but will they drive us to distraction?

National Highways agency uses virtual reality test to see if drivers are distracted by introduction of low-flying drones

I’m barrelling down the motorway at 70mph, swerving from lane to lane, with cars speeding past me. There’s just one problem, I don’t have a driving licence.

Or at least it would be a problem were this a real road test. But despite the life-like surroundings, I am in fact trialling a complex simulation created by virtual reality company MXT on behalf of National Highways, the government-owned agency responsible for the UK’s major roads.

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