MPs warn UK self-drive car progress hindered by ministers

author: FutureCar Staff    

The UK is in danger of losing its lead in self-drive car technology and know-how due to the government's failure to introduce necessary laws, according to MPs. The current laws governing the sector are outdated and restrictive, limiting testing and legal liability rules. To maintain its competitive advantage, the UK needs to update the law by introducing a new Bill during November's King's Speech. The proposed legislation should cover vehicle approval, accident liability, cybersecurity, and personal data use, as recommended by a parliamentary Transport Select Committee report.

If the government fails to take action, it could cause significant and lasting damage to the UK's self-driving vehicle industry and its reputation as a trailblazer. While the UK became the first European country to allow hands-off driving on public roads, fully self-drive cars are still banned. The report also questions the assumption that self-drive cars are safer than human drivers, stating that widespread use of self-drive cars on UK roads could be decades away due to the complexity of real-world scenarios.

The report criticizes the government's proposed safety ambition, stating that it is too weak and vague. Ministers need to set a clearer and more challenging threshold for self-driving vehicles to ensure safety remains the top priority. Additionally, the report highlights the need for a plan for the future of human driving in a world of self-drive cars, including possible changes to driving tests and ensuring that all drivers fully understand self-drive technology.

The report also warns that while self-drive cars may be applied to buses and other public transport, it could worsen congestion and exacerbate existing inequalities in access to transport. For example, self-driving taxis may not be able to offer the same level of assistance to disabled people as human-driven ones.

Iain Stewart, the chair of the Transport Committee, emphasizes the importance of following through with a Transport Bill to protect the UK's competitive advantage in self-drive car technology. He also acknowledges the hurdles that self-drive vehicles face, including public confidence in their safety and security, as well as their potential impact on other road users.

A spokesperson from the Department for Transport (DfT) highlights the government's commitment to safety in the development of self-driving vehicles. The government has invested £600 million since 2015, including recent funding of £34 million from the Department of Transport to support the development of secure, reliable, and cyber-resilient self-driving vehicles.

FutureCar Staff