The driverless car is rapidly moving from the stuff of science fiction films to reality. And with so much weight behind the technology – from governments, research establishments and corporations – it seems that, at some point, the driverless car will be here, whether we like it or not.

But there are some intriguing questions still to be answered about driverless cars, from the big to the not-so-big...

1. If an accident occurs involving a driverless car, who is responsible? The owner-occupant or the maker of the at-fault vehicle?

2. What will “former drivers” do with all that extra time? If a standard commute is about two hours a day, it could mean and extra 10 hours of free time per week (or much more for some). Would this time be absorbed with work, or leisure?

3. Will there be a backlash from taxi drivers and chauffeurs? If driverless cars become a reality, will tens of thousands of people be forced to find alternative work?

4. Driverless car sensors may be sensitive enough to detect humans – but what about smaller objects like pets?

5. For those who believe driving oneself is better or more enjoyable than letting a robot do it (a number of our car breakdown cover customers might be included in this category), will provision be made? Or will we all be forced to let a computer drive us to work or school?

6. Will parents simply let their car drive their children to school instead of taking them themselves?

7. Will car enthusiasts be forced to use private test tracks in order to get behind the wheel of what would be an "old fashioned" car?

8. Accidents. Experts agree that while driverless cars will be safer, there will still be accidents. Will human beings be able to deal with the risk of being killed by a robot?

9. Will the driverless car mark the beginning of the substantial introduction of artificial intelligence into our lives? Many believe A.I. could benefit humanity, but some – including Bill Gates – believe it could be a real threat. What do you think?