In-car TV gets the go-ahead in Highway Code update

Users of self-driving cars will not be responsible for crashes underproposedchangestothe Highway Code.

Insurance companies rather than individuals will beliableforclaimsinthosecircumstances, the Department for Transport said (DfT).

The update to the Code will make it clear that motorists must be ready to take back controlofvehicleswhenneeded.

The DfT also intends to allow drivers to watch television programmes and films on built-in screens while using self-driving cars.

It will still be illegal to use a phone behind the wheel.

These measures – which follow a public consultation – were described as an interim measurebytheGovernmentto support the early deployment of self-driving vehicles.

A full regulatory framework is expected to be in place by 2025.

There are no vehicles approvedforself-drivingonBritain’s roads, but the first could begiventhego-aheadthisyear.

The DfT announced in April 2021 it would allow hands-free driving in vehicles with lane-keeping technology on congested motorways.

Existing technology on the market such as cruise control and automatic stop/start is classified as “assistive”, meaning users must remain fully in control.

Transport minister Trudy Harrison said updating the Highway Code will be a “major milestoneinoursafeintroduction of self-driving vehicles”, andclaimeditwill“revolutionise the way we travel, making our future journeys greener, safer and more reliable”.

She went on: “This exciting technology is developing atpacerighthereinGreatBritainandwe’reensuringwehave strongfoundationsinplacefor 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.”

The RAC’s Steve Gooding said driverless cars “promise a future where death and injury on our roads are cut significantly”butthereislikelyto bea“longperiodoftransition” while drivers retain “much of the responsibility for what happens”.