Transport Committee Urges Comprehensive Laws for Autonomous Vehicles

A group of MPs is calling on the UK government to pass comprehensive laws for autonomous vehicles (AVs) in order to prevent the country from falling behind other nations in this rapidly advancing technology. The cross-party Transport Committee argues that the current laws for self-driving vehicles are outdated and restrictive, and new legislation is urgently needed.

At present, fully automated driving systems are not legal in the UK. Initially, they were expected to be released in 2021, but the deadline has been pushed back to 2022 and now to 2025. The Transport Committee has recommended that the government focus on legislating safety, security, liability, infrastructure, and the use of personal data in relation to AVs.

Iain Stewart, Chair of the Transport Committee, emphasized the importance of taking action before the next general election: “Self-driving vehicles are a great British success story in the making, and we have a competitive advantage over many other countries. But all that hard work could be at risk if the government doesn’t follow through and bring forward a transport bill in the next parliamentary session.”

One of the main concerns raised by the committee is public confidence in the safety and security of AVs, as well as their potential impact on other road users. To address these concerns, the committee suggests a cautious and gradual approach to introducing AV technologies in specific contexts. This approach would help mitigate any unintended consequences that may arise from widespread adoption of AVs.

The committee also questions the government’s proposed “safety ambition” for AVs, which states that they should achieve an equivalent level of safety to that of a competent and careful human driver. The committee believes this ambition is too weak and vague and calls for a more robust strategy for ensuring safety on the roads.

In addition to safety concerns, the committee highlights the need for a strategy for the future of human driving in a world of AVs. This includes possible changes to driving tests to ensure that all drivers have a thorough understanding of AV technology. The committee also emphasizes the importance of addressing the complex issue of legal liability in AVs, as it is shared between the owner and the vehicle software operators.

Tom Leggett, a vehicle technology specialist for Thatcham, supports the committee’s recommendations, particularly regarding data access. Leggett explains that access to data from AVs is crucial for ensuring their safety and for sharing information between the government, manufacturers, and insurers. He emphasizes that this data is essential for determining whether the car or the human is in control and for enabling insurance companies to make informed decisions.

In conclusion, the Transport Committee is urging the UK government to pass comprehensive laws for autonomous vehicles to prevent the country from falling behind in this rapidly advancing technology. The committee recommends legislating safety, security, liability, infrastructure, and data usage in relation to AVs. It also calls for a cautious and gradual approach to introducing AV technologies and emphasizes the need for a robust strategy for the future of human driving in a world of AVs. With these measures in place, the UK can maintain its competitive advantage and ensure the safe and successful deployment of autonomous vehicles on its roads.