MPs warn UK self-drive car progress hindered by ministers

author: FutureCar Staff    

The UK is facing the risk 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 The current laws in the UK are considered outdated and restrictive, limiting testing and legal liability regulations in the sector. To maintain its competitive advantage, the government needs to introduce a new bill in November's King's Speech to update the law. The proposed legislation should cover vehicle approval, accident liability, cybersecurity, and personal data use, as stated in a report by the parliamentary Transport Select Committee. Failure to do so could result in significant and lasting damage to the UK's self-driving vehicle industry and its reputation as a trailblazer.

In April, the UK became the first European country to allow drivers to take their hands off car steering wheels on public roads, but fully self-drive cars remain banned. MPs caution that the assumption that self-drive vehicles will be safer than human drivers is not guaranteed, and widespread use of self-drive cars on UK roads could be decades away. Safety should remain the government's top priority as self-drive vehicles face real-world complexity, according to the report. The government's proposed "safety ambition" is deemed weak and vague, and ministers need to establish a clearer and more challenging threshold.

The report also emphasizes the need for a plan for the future of human driving in a world of self-drive vehicles. This includes potential changes to driving tests and ensuring that all drivers have a comprehensive understanding of self-drive technology. Additionally, the report warns that while self-drive vehicles may be applied to buses and other public transport, they could worsen congestion and exacerbate existing inequalities in access to transport, particularly for disabled individuals who may not receive the same level of assistance from self-driving taxis as they would from human-driven ones.

Iain Stewart, the chair of the Transport Select Committee, highlights the importance of a Transport Bill to protect the UK's competitive advantage in self-drive vehicles. He states that if the government fails to follow through, the hard work invested in self-drive vehicles could be at risk. The widespread adoption of self-drive vehicles faces challenges related to public confidence in their safety, security, and potential impacts on other road users. To meet the government's ambitions for self-driving vehicle deployment, these issues need to be addressed.

In response, a spokesperson from the Department for Transport (DfT) emphasizes the potential of self-driving vehicles to enhance road safety. The government is committed to ensuring the safety, resilience, and regulation of self-driving vehicles, with joint investments of £600m since 2015. This includes recent funding of £34m from the Department of Transport to develop self-driving vehicles that are secure, reliable, and cyber-resilient.

FutureCar Staff