MPs demand series of new driving law changes to deal with driverless cars

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New driving laws will need to be introduced across the UK to deal with the rise in driverless vehicles, according to the Transport Committee.

MPs have been told that current rules around self-driving cars are “archaic and limiting” and need an overhaul.

Witnesses told the Transport Committee that the sector was “crying out” for regulation with drivers likely to face a range of new rules as more driverless cars enter the market.

The group has demanded the Government needed to pass comprehensive legislation in the next parliamentary session to start the ball rolling.

They claim this should cover vehicle approvals, liability of accidents, cybersecurity and the use of personal data.

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Iain Stewart, the Transport Committee Chair said a Transport Bill addressing concerns was needed as soon as possible.

He explained: “Self-driving vehicles are a great British success story in the making and we have a competitive advantage over many other countries. But all that hard work could be at risk if the Government doesn’t follow through and bring forward a Transport Bill in the next Parliamentary session, before the next general election.

“Widespread take-up of SDVs faces various hurdles, including public confidence in their safety, security and their potential to have knock-on impacts on other road users.

“If the Government is going to meet its ambitions for self-driving vehicle deployment these knotty issues need to be addressed.

“We believe the Government should take a cautious, gradual approach, with SDV technologies only initially introduced in well-defined contexts, or else we risk unintended consequences.”

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The Transport Committee blasted the Government for being “too weak and too vague” over driverless vehicle safety. Instead, they stress safety around self-driving models should be at the top of the Government’s agenda.

The group claims one of the proposed changes would be around UK driving tests to ensure the next generation can deal with the challenges posed by self-driving cars.

Meanwhile, legal liability is also complex as it is shared between the owner and vehicle software operators.

Deciding whether a car manufacturer’s technology is at fault more than the road user could create a major headache for the insurance industry.

They claim failing to introduce new rules could cause significant and lasting damage to the driverless vehicle industry.

Max Sugarman, chief executive of Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK) said now was the time for a legal framework to be introduced,

He commented: “Trials of self-driving vehicles show the potential of this technology, yet without the right regulatory and policy environment, the UK is at risk of losing its competitive advantage and not making full use of the fantastic work being developed in our connected and automated mobility sector.”

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