Autonomous vehicles could be on our streets by 2026

New Automated Vehicles Act paves way for self-driving vehicles

Autonomous vehicles could be on our streets by 2026

The Government has taken the bold move to introduce new legislation which could see self-driving cars, vans, lorries and buses on our roads as early as 2026. Trials are already underway in cities like London and Oxford.

Safety remains paramount.  “Britain stands at the threshold of an automotive revolution,” declared Transport Secretary Mark Harper, “and this new law is a milestone moment for our self-driving industry, which has the potential to change the way we travel forever.”  However, he emphasised, “Road safety is at the heart of the legislation.” 

The AV Act mandates that self-driving vehicles meet rigorous safety checks and achieve a level of safety exceeding or at least equaling careful human drivers.  This focus on safety is expected to drastically reduce accidents caused by human error, currently responsible for 88% of road collisions.

The economic benefits could be substantial. The UK government estimates the self-driving industry could be worth £42 billion by 2035, creating a significant number of skilled jobs (38,000) in the process.  The Act also strengthens the UK’s position as a global leader in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and self-driving vehicles.

The Act establishes a clear legal framework, setting out liability for AVs and ensuring drivers are not responsible for the vehicle’s actions in self-driving mode.  This shifts responsibility to corporations like insurance providers, software developers, and automotive manufacturers.

While there are further steps needed – including the development of secondary legislation – the AV Act marks a turning point for self-driving vehicles in the UK.

Source: Gov.uk

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