Britain Charts Course for Self-Driving Vehicle Usage by 2025

Britain announced plans for new legislation and GBP 100 million  in funding on Friday, stating that it intended a wide-scale introduction of autonomous vehicles on highways by 2025.

The government claimed it intended to capitalize on the growing market for driverless vehicles, which it projected could generate 38,000 new employment and valued at GBP 42 billion. According to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, “We want the UK to be at the forefront of developing and utilizing this fantastic technology, which is why we are investing millions in crucial research into safety and setting the legislation to ensure we reap the full benefits that this technology promises.”

While some self-driving cars may be permitted on major highways by the end of the year, Friday’s statement also laid the groundwork for a much wider rollout, including for delivery and public transportation.

As part of the financing package, GBP 35 million was allocated for safety research, which would be used to inform new legislation that is expected to be in place by 2025.

As a result, a human driver would not be held accountable for accidents involving self-driving cars, according to a government statement. “The legislation would indicate manufacturers are responsible for the vehicle’s conduct when self-driving,” it stated.

Britain also announced in April of this year that it would permit drivers to watch TV in self-driving vehicles.

Motorists can sit back and watch TV once self-driving cars are approved on British roads but will be banned from using handheld mobile phones, government plans revealed Wednesday.

Once self-driving cars are permitted on British roads, drivers will be able to relax and watch TV, but using handheld mobile phones will be prohibited, according to government proposals made public on Wednesday.

The Highway Code was amended by the Department for Transport (DfT) in order to “help ensure the initial wave of self-driving vehicles are utilized safely.”

In self-driving mode, users would not be held liable for accidents, passing the responsibility to insurance, a DfT official affirmed.

During the earnings call, Elon Musk reveals plans for the Tesla Robotaxi But according to a DfT statement, “drivers must be ready to resume control in a timely manner if they are alerted to — such as when they approach highway exits.” By 2025, the government wants to have a complete regulatory system in place.