According to British media such as Sky News and The Guardian, according to the proposed traffic regulations revision plan, British drivers can watch TV and movies on the built-in screen of the car during the period of automatic driving of the vehicle. If an accident occurs while the vehicle is driving autonomously, the liability for the claim is borne by the insurance company, not the individual.
Image source: Sky News
The UK Transport Department said that as long as the driver remains in one lane and the speed is below 60 km /h, the driver can watch TV and movies on the car's built-in screen while the vehicle is autonomous, but using the mobile phone will still be illegal. Drivers must be prepared to take back control of the vehicle when needed. When the car is in autopilot mode, the insurance company will be responsible for the accident and the driver will not be liable.
There are currently no approved autonomous vehicles on UK roads, but the first models could be approved later this year. These measures are temporary measures taken by the government to support the early deployment of self-driving cars.
Transport Minister Trudy Harrison said the updated traffic regulations would be "an important milestone in our safe introduction of autonomous vehicles" and would "revolutionize the way we travel and make our future mobility greener, safer and more reliable."
She added: "This exciting technology is rapidly evolving in the UK and we will ensure that it lays a solid foundation for drivers when it hits the road. By doing so, we can help improve travel for all while boosting economic growth across the country and securing the UK's position as a global science superpower. ”
Source: Daily Mail
The Transport Department believes that the development of self-driving cars will create around 38,000 new jobs in the UK by 2035 and create a value of £41.7 billion for the economy.
Earlier this year, the Law Commission of England, Wales and Scotland published a joint report recommending the introduction of a new Autonomous Vehicles Act.
The bill proposes that in the event of an accident in a self-driving car, the occupant of the car does not need to bear any responsibility, and the party responsible for the accident will be the self-driving technology research and development enterprise or car company. The UK, Scottish and Welsh governments are deciding whether to accept the report's recommendations and incorporate them into legislation.
The UK government hopes to establish a full regulatory framework by 2025 to support the widespread deployment of driverless car technology.
Upstream News Compiled by Ruochen Yang