SELF-DRIVE CARS IN UK THIS YEAR
Despite US horror crashes and safety fears...
MOTORISTS will be able to check their emails and watch TV under plans to legalise driverless cars by the end of the year.
‘Lane keeping’ technology would take over the controls and steering, according to a blueprint published by ministers today.
Without the need to keep their hands on the wheel, motorists could go on the internet or read a newspaper.
They would have to use on-board ‘infotainment’ screens for online content – with mobile phones and tablets still banned during journeys.
And they would have to be in a position to resume control of the car within ten seconds in case of problems. if the driver failed to act, the vehicle would come to a stop. Motorists would not be allowed to switch lanes while using the technology and it would be permitted only on motorways at speeds of just 37mph and under. it is expected that this limit could be lifted to 70mph if the scheme is a success.
The move comes despite safety fears that were highlighted by the death in Texas this month of two men in a Tesla
fitted with ‘autopilot’ technology. In another incident, a pedestrian was killed by an Uber self-driving car in 2018. The death of Elaine Herzberg, 49, in Arizona was the first on record involving such a vehicle.
Uber halted its testing of the technology following the incident. At the time of the crash it was claimed the car’s ‘safety driver’ was watching TV.
In 2016, a 40-year-old driver in Florida was killed in a Tesla on autopilot that failed to stop when a tractor-trailer made a left turn in front of it. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US has opened around 28 investigations into crashes of Teslas that may have involved self-drive settings.
Announcing the UK’s plans, transport minister Rachel Maclean said: ‘This is a major step for the safe use of self-driving vehicles in the UK, making future journeys greener, easier and more reliable while also helping the nation to build back better.’
Over a decade the changes could prevent as many as 47,000 serious accidents and save 3,900 lives, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Chief executive Mike Hawes said: ‘ Technologies such as automated lane keeping systems will pave the way for higher levels of automation in future.
‘These advances will unleash Britain’s potential to be a world leader in the development and use of these technologies, creating jobs while ensuring our roads remain among the safest on the planet.’ The Department for Transport says the move will cut accidents because human errors are responsible for most crashes.
But Edmund King of the AA said: ‘Without doubt vehicle safety technology can save lives, but we shouldn’t be in a race to take drivers’ hands off the wheel.
‘There are still gaps in how this technology detects and stops if the vehicle is involved in a collision. More needs to be done to rigorously test these systems before they are used on UK roads.’
Steve Gooding of the RAC Foundation said humans were ‘ invariably the weak link’ and added: ‘There is a risk of situations in which drivers over-rely on the automated system, expecting it to deal with events for which it is neither intended nor capable.’
It is understood the proposals will not require a change in the law as they are covered by the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018. Car-makers will have to meet new safety requirements for vehicles to be legally registered. The Highway Code will also be updated.
Jim Holder of What Car? magazine said: ‘Past events have shown just how important it is to ensure customers and drivers understand the limitations of the technology and do not confuse driver assistance systems or semi-driverless technology with a fully autonomous feature.’
Many cars already have ‘ lane assist’ technology, which alerts motorists when they are veering out of lane.
But today’s announcement relates to more advanced technology which actually steers cars, known as ‘ automated lane keeping systems’. No car-makers currently offer vehicles with the full automated lane keeping technology.
Tesla is close with its ‘autopilot’ system, which is capable of keeping cars within lanes and steering them. However, drivers must keep their hands on the wheel.