News analysis
right here in Great Britain and we’re ensuring we have strong foundations in place for drivers when it takes to our roads. “In doing so, we can help improve travel for all while boosting economic growth across the nation and securing Britain’s place as a global science superpower.”
Reacting to the government’s announcement, RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: “The Highway Code has been updated a number of times in recent years to reflect the rapidly changing transport world we live in, and
He said: “Carmakers and insurers will work together to handle claims where the vehicle is proven to be in self-driving mode and while Mercedes recently announced that it will accept liability when its Drive Pilot automated system is engaged, the provision of data will be vital to making sense of collisions and ensuring that legal wrangling does not put a brake on adoption.
“As a clear communication to the consumer, the announcement’s focus on the driver’s legal responsibilities is important, especially when it comes to
“These latest additions will help us all understand what we must and must not do as we move forward.”
these latest additions will help us all understand what we must and must not do as we move forward to an environment where cars drive themselves.
“The final part of the jigsaw is to ensure these amendments are widely communicated to, and understood by, vehicle owners. Vehicle manufacturers and sellers will have a vital role to play in ensuring their customers fully appreciate the capabilities of the cars they buy and the rules that govern them.”
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief executive Mike Hawes said: “Amending the Highway Code to reflect the pace of technological change will help clarify what motorists can and can’t do when a self-driving feature is engaged, so promoting its safe use. “The technology could be available in the UK later this year and, with the right regulations in place, consumers are set to benefit from safer, more efficient journeys while the UK will strengthen its position as a global leader in the deployment of self-driving technology.” Thatcham Research chief research strategy officer Matthew Avery said: “This is another notable landmark on our journey towards safe automated driving in the UK. Education is a key enabler of safe adoption, and as such we welcome the announcement’s focus on ensuring that drivers understand their legal obligations behind the wheel of any vehicle described as having ‘self- driving capability’.
“Although automation will ultimately make our roads safer, accidents will still occur. Therefore, data must be recorded that shows who was in control at the time of a collision, however minor, and this data must be openly accessible to all stakeholders, not only the carmakers.” Avery added that the answer to the question of who would pay when an automated vehicle did crash with another vehicle remained unclear.
taking back control from the system. This is an area of risk and it’s important that drivers are aware that they must remain engaged and be ready to resume the driving task at any time.
“We are also pleased to see that the proposed changes will not permit mobile phone use, and instead only allow use of the vehicle’s infotainment system – which means the self-driving system can issue a warning as required and bring the driver back into the loop promptly.” Rebecca Needham, England road safety manager for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said that her organisation had some concerns about the proposal to allow drivers to watch screens on the move, although it recognised there could be overall benefits if the technology was deployed correctly. She said: “In particular, we are still concerned about the driver becoming distracted if they use the vehicle infotainment system to watch films or sports on an in-vehicle television screen, reply to messages or interact with media or written content.
“However, we do recognise the long-term merits of this technology. A proportion of drivers already carry out distracting activities occasionally without realising the extra risk that it causes. “When the self-driving system is engaged, this could give the driver the opportunity to undertake these brief tasks that they would normally have done while driving, in a manner that would be safer than if they were fully in control of the vehicle, but still be in a position to respond promptly to a transition demand. “RoSPA believes this is one of the benefits of automated driving systems and we are ultimately optimistic that this technology could potentially improve the safety of vehicle occupants and other road users. As these systems are developed, the details of how they operate and are used is absolutely critical to get right.”
In this issue
60 miles a day didn’t sound a lot when I applied for a job in the noughties, but after the interview and successfully landing it, a commute to my future office made me realise this distance was substantial.
My solution for the three-years at 300 miles a week was to run two vehicles, with most of my daily drives undertaken in cheap cars bought just for that purpose. Why am I talking about my old commute and even older cars you may ask? Well, after reading Jack’s feature on grey fleet and how EVs might be the solution to getting these drivers into company cars, it made me think of my two car fix.
Running two cars certainly took careful budgeting, especially with the cheap commuter car, as wear and tear items such as tyres, servicing and MOTs certainly cost, and although I tried not to cut corners just to stay legal, my newer car was safer and more mechanically sound. I did various trips for work during that time, with no company grey fleet policy – I hate to think of the legal implications if I had had an accident on company business at the time.
Given the opportunity, I know I would have taken a company car, with the security of a monthly payment covering everything. Or, I would have been sorely tempted by current salsac schemes to get me into the latest EV models. See what you think, the feature is on P20. This year is going fast and the 2022 Business Car Awards are looming large on the horizon. Make sure you get your entries in promptly, for what is already looking to be the fleet event of the year. Learn more about this event and our headline sponsors on P13.
I hope you enjoy the issue,
Martyn Collins Business Car Editor
www.businesscar.co.uk | May 2022 | 5
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