News analysis
Highway to the future? P
lanned changes to the Highway Code to allow for the operation of autonomous vehicles on UK roads have now been revealed by
the government.
The updated code will outline how, while travelling in self-driving mode, motorists must be ready to resume control in a timely way when they are prompted to, such as when they approach motorway exits.
Another planned change will allow drivers to view content unrelated to driving on in-car display screens while a self-driving system is operational, although mobile phone use in these circumstances will still be outlawed, with
4 | May 2022 |
www.businesscar.co.uk
the government citing research showing this poses a greater risk of distraction. The government said its announcement followed a public consultation, which found the majority of respondents were “broadly supportive” of its new proposed changes.
The government said it was continuing to develop a full legal framework for self-driving vehicles, and that these would need to undergo rigorous testing and meet stringent standards before being approved for road use.
The planned Highway Code changes follow the government’s announcement last year that automated lane keeping systems (ALKS) could be the first
“This is a
major milestone in our safe
introduction of self-driving vehicles.”
The Highway Code is set to be altered to accommodate self-driving car use. Sean Keywood reports.
permitted example of automated driving technology. Such systems would allow a vehicle to drive itself in a single lane at up to 37mph, while maintaining the ability to return control easily and safely to the driver when required.
The government expects to have a full regulatory framework in place to allow the widespread deployment of the technology by 2025.
Transport Minister Trudy Harrison said: “This is a major milestone in our safe introduction of self-driving vehicles, which will revolutionise the way we travel, making our future journeys greener, safer and more reliable. This exciting technology is developing at pace
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53
