Automated Vehicles Threaten 1.2 Million Jobs

Crash Course to the Driverless Revolution

Picture this: you’re sipping coffee, scrolling through your feed, and suddenly your phone chimes with a toast that “driverless cars will hit the roads and soon make manual driving a thing of the past.” According to a study by MoneySuperMarket (yes, the UK’s top price‑comparison hub), the countdown has already begun.

Who’s Got Their Car’s Seat in Danger?

Food‑delivery drivers – 98 % probability of being swapped out for a bot. The kitchen‑to‑door hustle is getting a tech makeover.
Bin men – 93 % chance of automation. Think drones scanning the streets for the next trash bin to collect. (Bumpy rides for humans are pretty soon the past.)
Forklift operators – 88 % likely to be replaced. These savvy little vehicles are already skittering around warehouses without a human behind the wheel.
Bus drivers – 89 % chance of disappearing from the job board. Companies like Navya have already tested self‑driving buses in East London.
Taxi drivers – same risk as bus drivers. “Addison Lee” is eyeing autonomous cabs in London, while Tokyo’s robot taxis have already picked up passengers.
Driving instructors – a rare beacon of hope. Only a 13 % chance of retirement to robots.

Saving Arming Instances – Emergencies Are Fine

Things that keep people safe are still pretty solid:

Policemen: 10 % chance of full replacement.
Ambulance drivers: 25 %.
Fire engine operators: 42 %.

Those extra skills (like quick thinking, emergency protocols, and human interaction) seem to keep robots at bay for those roles.

Insurance Impact: The Price of Safe Driving

Back in the day, work‑only motorists paid a neat £455 per year for insurance, while other drivers faced a hefty £702. Even though they pay less, work‑drivers still rack up 25 % of all road accidents, despite making up only 7 % of the driving population.

What the MoneySuperMarket Guru is Saying

Tom Flack, editor‑in‑chief, says, “We’re headed into a world where autopilots will hit the road faster than the nostalgia of your old favourite car advert. If companies see the money in replacing their drivers, they’ll do it sooner than you think. Let’s hope this tech boom opens fresh job pathways for those who might otherwise be left behind.”