Are driverless cars the next step for UK motorists, or are they just a futuristic dream? Making your daily commute without touching the steering wheel might sound wonderful. But will drivers really be streaming their favourite TV shows instead of navigating traffic?
The tech is improving all the time, but it's easy to feel a little doubtful about how it works. Let's dive into the details.
What are driverless cars?
Driverless, or self-driving cars are fully automated vehicles that can get you from A to B without you touching the steering wheel.
Driverless cars use artificial intelligence to respond to the road in the same way a human would. They're sometimes known as autonomous cars as they can understand their environment without our involvement.
The term 'driverless' may be slightly ambitious at the moment though. The cars will still need a human behind the wheel. In most cases, accidents that happen while in autonomous mode will be treated as the fault of the manufacturer. The insurer will be liable, rather than the 'driver.'
However, there are many factors to consider when determining liability after an accident, and the driver's actions and behaviours will also be considered.
Are self-driving cars legal in the UK?
No, self-driving cars are not yet legal for unsupervised use on UK roads. But they should be by 2026.
The Automated Vehicles (AV) Act became law May 20th 2024 in the UK. The law sets out the safety standards and processes for automated vehicles. (AVs) Further regulations are due to be laid out in 2025 to 2026.
The law's main focus is to cut down on human error and improve road safety.
Whilst fully self-driving cars are not yet legal, many cars have autonomous features today. Adaptive cruise control and lane control might not make us feel like James Bond, but they increase driver safety.
When are self-driving cars coming to the UK?
You could see self-driving cars on British roads as soon as 2026. But there's still a lot of work to do before we can sit back and take our foot off the gas.
The motor industry is a key driver in autonomous vehicle testing. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) is focusing on ensuring high safety standards in driverless cars. They're working with Thatcham Research and vehicle manufacturers to develop safety technology in AV vehicles.
The UK government have invested £34 million into safety research.
What rules and laws do driverless cars have to follow?
The UK is one of the only countries in the world that has legal guidance on self-driving cars. The AV Act states that driverless cars must 'achieve a level of safety at least as high as careful and competent human drivers.' But what does this really mean?
The Department for Transport (DfT) proposed changes to the Highway Code in April 2022.
Self-driving cars must be as safe and careful as competent human drivers. Before making it onto the road they need to pass a 'self-driving test.' This ensures they can travel autonomously and safely. They'll also need:
- Data security: In case of an accident, self-driving cars must have working data-logging equipment.
- The Highway Code: All self-driving cars must follow the usual rules of the road. A new section is being added to the Highway Code to make the expectations for AV users clear
- Insurance: The Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 states that the motor insurer is primarily liable for accidents involving driverless cars. This means that the injured person can make a claim against the insurer. The insurer could then seek compensation from the manufacturer if the accident was caused by a system error. For example, faulty sensors or other manufacturing issues.
The rules also make it clear that the driver should take back control of the car if prompted.
Do I need car insurance to travel in an autonomous car?
When it comes to car insurance, autonomous cars can make things a little more complicated. The Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 outlines regulations for the insurance of driverless cars.
It states that if the car is in self-driving mode, the insurer or manufacturer is responsible for any accidents or damages that occur. But if they're not properly insured, the car's owner will be liable.
The act also goes into the specifics of software in driverless cars. If car owners don't install 'safety-critical' software updates then insurance could be void. Self-driving cars may need different insurance coverage than other vehicles too. This is to account for malfunctions in autonomous technology.
Our guide delves into some more challenges insurers might face with driverless cars.
What changes can we expect to driverless cars in the future?
Driverless cars are expected to change the environment, and the designs of our cities. They'll also make a big change to how we get from A to B. Here are a few main changes that driverless cars may bring:
- Improved road safety: Driverless cars can cut down on the number of accidents caused by human error. Using sensors and cameras, they can sense the road ahead, weather conditions, and other cars
- City design: It's likely that driverless cars will be more compact than traditional cars. This could free up space for bigger pavements, bike lanes, and more pedestrian focused areas
- Mobility: Driverless cars could be a gamechanger for the elderly or people with disabilities. If long commutes are less of a problem, more people might choose to move further away from the office. This could mean more people living in rural areas rather than in cities
- Environment: Driverless cars could make our planet healthier. They're less likely to get into traffic jams as they can reduce idling, travelling closer together with other cars. They're also more efficient when driving, using smoother acceleration and braking patterns. This can reduce the amount of fuel they consume
- Features: Looking further into the future, features like steering wheels, foot pedals, and car mirrors could become obsolete
- Communication: Driverless cars can communicate with other vehicles and infrastructure. They could communicate with traffic lights, car parks, and street signs.
Who are the main manufacturers of driverless cars?
Many well-known brands have started developing the technology for driverless cars:
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