Britain said on Friday it wanted a widespread rollout of self-driving vehicles on roads by 2025, announcing plans for new laws and GBP 100 million of funding. The government said it wanted to take advantage of the emerging market for autonomous vehicles, which it valued at GBP 42 billion and estimated could create 38,000 new jobs.
"We want the UK to be at the forefront of developing
and using this fantastic technology, and that is why we are investing millions
in vital research into safety and setting the legislation to ensure we gain the
full benefits that this technology promises," Transport Secretary Grant
Shapps said.
While some vehicles with self-driving features could be
allowed on large roads by next year, Friday's announcement also set out the
framework for a much wider rollout, including for public transport and delivery
vehicles.
The funding package included GBP 35 million for safety
research, which would feed into new legislation planned to be in place by 2025.
"The legislation would state manufacturers are
responsible for the vehicle's actions when self-driving, meaning a human driver
would not be liable for incidents related to driving while the vehicle is in
control of driving," a government statement said.
Back in April this year, Britain also said that it would
allow motorists to watch TV in self-driving cars.
Motorists can sit back and watch TV once self-driving cars
are approved on British roads but will be banned from using handheld mobile
phones, government plans revealed Wednesday.
The Department for Transport (DfT) set out changes to The
Highway Code to “help ensure the first wave of self-driving vehicles are used
safely”.
A DfT spokesman confirmed that in self-driving mode, users
would not be responsible for crashes, handing the baton to insurers.
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Call However “motorists must be ready to resume control in a timely way if they
are prompted to -- such as when they approach motorway exits”, said a DfT
statement. The government hopes to have a full regulatory framework in place by
2025.
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