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Self-driving cars could be driving along British roads within the next 2 years following the government’s new Automated Vehicles (AV) Act.
Enacted on 20th May 2024, the legislation states that motorists will not be liable for their vehicle’s actions while in self-driving mode. Instead, manufacturers, insurance providers and software developers will be responsible if something goes wrong because the driver is only considered a ‘user in charge’.
The law also requires new self-driving cars to go through stringent safety checks to ensure they’re as safe as “careful and competent human drivers”. The government believes this technology will significantly reduce human error, which accounts for 88% of road accidents.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, commented: “Britain stands at the threshold of an automotive revolution and this new law is a milestone moment for our self-driving industry, which has the potential to change the way we travel forever.
“While this doesn’t take away people’s ability to choose to drive themselves, our landmark legislation means self-driving vehicles can be rolled out on British roads as soon as 2026, in a real boost to both safety and our economy.”
The government claims that its AV Act is “the most comprehensive legal framework of its kind worldwide” and could unlock a new industry worth up to £42 billion, creating 38,000 skilled jobs by 2035.
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