UK government green lights self-driving cars

The UK government announced on Wednesday (April 28) it will begin to regulate the use of self-driving cars - becoming the first country to do so - meaning it could see autonomous vehicles on motorways by the end of the year.

The Department for Transport has revealed its hopes to start with vehicles fitted with  Automatic Lane Keeping System (ALKS), which uses sensors to judge when to accelerate and brake without driver input.

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ALKS technology is designed to allow for autonomous driving during heavy traffic or slow periods driving itself in a single lane, being able to immediately and safely return control to the driver when required.

Owing to these limitations and specific uses, these cars will be limited to 37 mph (60 kph) and would only be available on Britain's motorways until a time where more advanced systems come into play.

The DfT claims this technology could stand to reduce accidents and road risks by minimising human error, which accounts for 85% of accidents.

The UK wants to be at the forefront of autonomous vehicle application and the Department estimates as many as 40% of cars by 2035 will be fitted with some form of autonomous driving software, creating up to 38,000 skilled new jobs.

The government has started updating the Highway Code to allow for the use of self-driving cars. This consultation is expected to close on May 28.

Transport minister Rachel Maclean said this was a big step for the safe use of self-driving cars in the UK, adding it could stand to make journies "greener, safer, easier and more reliable."

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"We must ensure that this exciting new tech is deployed safely, which is why we are consulting on what the rules to enable this should look like. In doing so, we can improve transport for all, securing the UK ’s place as a global science superpower," she said.

The transport ministry's statement regarding the matter of self-driving cars alludes to this technology signalling a potential end for common daily driving occurrences such as congestion and pollution. There is currently no supporting evidence for these claims.

However, this technology could stand to increase the accessibility of driving to people who otherwise may not be able to, such as those with mobility issues and the government claims it could increase access to remote rural areas.

Mike Hawes, the chief of The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), an automotive lobby group, has said the push for driverless cars could spur innovation and application for higher levels of automation in the future.

He claims these could push Britain to be a global leader in the development and use of these technologies.

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"The automotive industry welcomes this vital step to permit the use of automated vehicles on UK roads, which will put Britain in the vanguard of road safety and automotive technology," he said.

"Automated driving systems could prevent 47,000 serious accidents and save 3,900 lives over the next decade through their ability to reduce the single largest cause of road accidents – human error."

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