The Association of British Insurers and car safety group Thatcham Research have warned car makers to be more careful when describing autonomous technology.

Misleading language has caused some motorists to mistakenly believe their cars can drive independently, and several have crashed as a result.

They say misleading names have been given to assisted-driving technologies designed to work only in specific situations, such as on highways.

Thatcham Head of Research Matthew Avery says names such as “autopilot” and “ProPilot” can suggest a level of autonomy beyond the car’s capability, and clarity is needed to help drivers understand when and how technologies are designed to work.

Drivers remain criminally liable and cars’ capabilities must not be oversold, he says.

Thatcham has released a list of 10 criteria each assisted-driving car must meet, and announced a new testing regime for driver assistance systems.