Motorists to have say on laws surrounding driverless cars

DRIVERLESS: Automated and driverless cars are expected to arrive from the mid-2020s

British drivers can have their say on rules surrounding driverless vehicles as part of a consultation process launched by the Department for Transport.

Under proposed measures, it will soon be possible to insure autonomous vehicles for use on UK roads.

The Highway Code will also be altered to ensure advanced driver assistance systems that park vehicles by remote control and change lane on the motorway can be safely used.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Driverless car technology will revolutionise the way we travel and deliver better journeys. Britain is leading the way but I want everyone to have the chance to have a say on how we embrace and use these technologies.

“Our roads are already some of the safest in the world and increasingly advanced driver assist and driverless technologies have the potential to help cut the number of accidents further.”

The proposed changes to insurance regulations will be brought forward in the Modern Transport Bill. Vehicle insurance will stay compulsory, but will be extended to cover product liability for autonomous cars.

In the event of an accident, the insurer will still pay out but will then be able to claim money back from the car manufacturer if the vehicle is found to be at fault.

Cars featuring advanced driver assistance features such as motorway assist and remote control parking are expected to go on sale in the UK in two to four years’ time. Automated and driverless cars are expected to arrive from the mid-2020s.
To take part in the consultation, visit www.gov.uk. The consultation runs for nine weeks from July 11th.

‘Robo’ cars are a no-no

Over half of motorists oppose driverless vehicles over safety concerns

ROBO CAR: 62% of drivers said they would feel less safe on the roads alongside other vehicles with no human behind the wheel.

Motorists could be buying and driving robo cars as early as 2020 with the first trials on Britain's roads due to start next year

Half of motorists oppose driverless cars as Britain takes pole position in the development of self-driving vehicles, according to a new survey.

62 per cent of drivers said they would feel less safe on the roads alongside other vehicles with no human behind the wheel. Futhermore, almost three-quarters (72 per cent) said there would be added complications to resolving insurance disputes involving 'robo cars.'

The new findings - from a new survey of 1,000 motorists by vehicle CCTV specialists SmartWitness - were revealed as the Government made the development of 'autonomous vehicles' a key part of the Queen's Speech.

The Queen said measures in the Modern Transport Bill would 'ensure the UK is at the forefront of technology for new forms of transport, including autonomous and electric vehicles.'

Motorists could be buying and driving robo cars as early as 2020 with the first trials on Britain's roads due to start next year - starting on local roads and gradually extending to the motorway network.

There is still great uncertainty over the new technology with motorists calling for strong safeguards to ensure there is a 'level playing field' with insurance claims involving autonomous cars.

Nine out of ten (91 per cent) support the compulsory introduction of camera technology in all autonomous vehicles so there would be court admissible proof of exactly what had happened in the event of an accident.

The poll found that 52 per cent of motorists oppose the introduction of driverless cars - mainly over fears about road safety.

SmartWitness chief executive Paul Singh said: "It is incredibly exciting that Britain is taking the lead globally in the development of autonomous cars.

"But these new findings from the SmartWitness survey show that there are still real fears from ordinary motorists about what will happen if they are in a collision with an autonomous car.

"Around 40% of all motor insurance claims are disputed, but how do you resolve a dispute when you can only hear evidence from one of the drivers involved?

"The simplest way to eliminate the problem is to make camera technology compulsory in all autonomous vehicles. This will provide court admissible proof in the event of an accident and help to alleviate motorists' fears about the introduction of driverless cars.

Dashboard cameras are now used in more than half of Britain's fleets, according to the Road Haulage Association.

Increasing numbers of private motorists are also using them to guard against 'cash for crash' fraudsters and reduce insurance premiums.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said that driverless cars 'might seem like something of science fiction, but the economic potential of the new technology is huge and I am determined the UK gets maximum benefit.'