UK Approves Driverless Cars for Public Roads

The United Kingdom has taken a significant step forward in the realm of transportation by approving legislation for autonomous vehicles (AVs) to operate on public roads. The Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, although still requiring secondary legislation, paves the way for the potential introduction of driverless cars on UK roads within the next two years.

The Act mandates that self-driving vehicles must meet safety standards equivalent to those of careful and competent human drivers. Before being permitted on the roads, these AVs must undergo rigorous safety checks to ensure their reliability and safety. This legislation establishes a comprehensive legal framework, outlining the liability for AVs and assuring drivers that they will not be held accountable for the actions of their vehicles while in self-driving mode.

Moreover, the AV Act introduces a vehicle approval system that includes an independent incident investigation function, modeled after the Accident Investigation Board for aviation. Companies operating AVs will have ongoing responsibilities to maintain the safety of their vehicles and ensure compliance with British laws. The potential requirement for a 'black box' data recorder, akin to those used in aircraft, is a matter that will be addressed in the secondary legislation.

Several companies have already been conducting self-driving trials across the UK. Wayve and Oxa have been testing autonomous vehicles in London and Oxford, while Nissan has been trialing self-driving cars in London. These trials have been instrumental in shaping the development of autonomous vehicle technology in the country.

Paul Newman, Founder and CTO of Oxa, expressed optimism about the impact of the new legislation, stating, "Meeting the highest AV standards will make British companies global leaders with technology that is the safest and AI systems the most trusted – all key to building business and public trust in autonomy globally." The regulatory framework provided by the government is expected to boost investment in the UK's growing autonomous vehicle sector.

Richard Cuerden, Director at the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), emphasized the importance of the regulatory framework in fostering innovation and investment in the self-driving vehicle industry. He noted, "By setting a regulatory framework, the government is providing the industry with confidence and motivation to continue, and we expect to increase investment in the UK in this growing sector."