Hands-free driving gets green light spiking biker safety fears
This week’s announcement that we could see self-driving cars on UK roads this year has led to renewed concerns for motorcycle safety. The Department for Transport says automated lane-keeping systems (ALKS) would be the first type of hands-free driving legalised, possibly before the end of 2021. The technology controls the position and speed of a car in a single lane and will be limited to 37mph (60km/h). However, the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) has raised concerns about what the new technology may mean for bikers. Karen Cole, MCIA Director of
Road Safety and Rider Training, said: “The motorcycle industry welcomes new technology that can reduce the number of casualties on our roads, particularly if there is a safety benefit for riders.
“But we have concerns about ALKS due to a lack of clarity from a consultation document – it is
‘Can the system cope with a filtering bike?’
unclear whether motorcycles will be consistently and reliably recognised by vehicles fitted with ALKS. “Some manoeuvres only carried out by motorcycles, such as filtering, need to be factored into testing, as currently there have been no assurances any of the new technologies will cope with the unexpected appearance of a motorcycle. To ensure the safety of riders, auto manufacturers should liaise with their two-wheeled counterparts to ensure that motorcycles are included in the early research and development phases of any new technology.”