What should be included in the UK’s self-driving bill?

The Transport Committee in the UK, which includes members from various political parties, has emphasized the need for legislation concerning self-driving vehicles (SDVs) before the next general election, citing the current laws as outdated and restrictive.

Chairman of the Transport Committee, Iain Stewart, stated: “Self-driving vehicles [SDVs] are a promising British accomplishment, and we hold a competitive advantage over many other countries.

“However, all the progress we have made could be compromised if the government fails to act and introduce a transport bill in the upcoming parliamentary session, prior to the next general election.

“There are several obstacles to widespread adoption of SDVs, including public confidence in their safety, security, and their potential effects on other road users. To achieve the government’s aspirations for self-driving vehicle deployment, these challenges need to be addressed.

“We advocate for a cautious and gradual approach, initially implementing SDV technologies in well-defined contexts. Otherwise, unintended consequences may arise.”

Members of Parliament have voiced concerns regarding the government’s proposed “safety ambition” for autonomous vehicles, which states that they should reach an equivalent level of safety to that of a competent and careful human driver. MPs believe this objective is “too weak and too vague.”

The committee also recommended that the government outline a strategy for the future of human driving in an era of SDVs, which could involve changes to driving tests and a plan to ensure all drivers have a thorough understanding of SDVs.

Legal liability in SDVs will become more intricate as it is shared between the vehicle owner and the software operators. The committee advises the government to give more thought to this matter.

Support for the bill’s recommendations

Tom Leggett, a vehicle technology specialist at Thatcham Research, expressed support for the recommendations, particularly highlighting data access as a key issue.