Britain moves closer to a self-driving revolution
Changes to The Highway Code will help ensure the first wave of self-driving vehicles are used safely on UK roads.
- government sets out changes to The Highway Code to ensure the first self-driving vehicles are introduced safely on UK roads
- changes clarify drivers바카라 사이트™ responsibilities in self-driving vehicles, including when a driver must be ready to take back control
- future technology could improve and level up transport, easing congestion, cutting emissions and reducing collisions caused by human error
Drivers will be able to experience the full benefits of the first self-driving vehicles when they arrive, as government sets out how they should be driven safely on UK roads.
The government has today (20 April 2022) confirmed planned changes to The Highway Code, responding to a public consultation, continuing to pave the way for safer, more efficient travel.
The changes to the code will help ensure the first wave of technology will be used safely, explaining clearly that while travelling in self-driving mode, motorists must be ready to resume control in a timely way if they are prompted to 바카라 사이트“ such as when they approach motorway exits.
The plans also include a change to current regulation, allowing drivers to view content that is not related to driving on built-in display screens, while the self-driving vehicle is in control. It will, however, still be illegal to use mobile phones in self-driving mode, given the greater risk they pose in distracting drivers as shown in research.
With self-driving technology rapidly developing across the globe, Britain바카라 사이트™s first vehicles approved for self-driving could be ready for use later this year. Vehicles will undergo rigorous testing and only be approved as self-driving when they have met stringent standards.
The government is continuing to develop a full legal framework for self-driving vehicles to enable the safer and greener movement of people and goods in the UK. The Department for Transport will also work with industry, regulators and safety organisations to ensure drivers can access information, including online, to help them use the vehicles safely.
Transport Minister Trudy Harrison said:
This is a major milestone in our safe introduction of self-driving vehicles, which will revolutionise the way we travel, making our future journeys greener, safer and more reliable.
This exciting technology is developing at pace right here in Great Britain and we바카라 사이트™re ensuring we have strong foundations in place for 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 Britain바카라 사이트™s place as a global science superpower.
The development of self-driving vehicles could create around 38,000 new, high-skilled jobs within Britain바카라 사이트™s industry that would be worth £41.7 billion by 2035.바카라 사이트¯
The measures confirmed today follow a public consultation launched by the government, which found the majority of respondents were broadly supportive of the proposed changes to The Highway Code to clarify drivers바카라 사이트™ responsibilities in self-driving vehicles.
The introduction of the technology is likely to begin with vehicles travelling at slow speeds on motorways, such as in congested traffic.
Following a landmark call for evidence, the government announced in April last year that vehicles fitted with automated lane keeping system (ALKS) technology could be the first example of self-driving technology.바카라 사이트¯Existing technology available on the market is 바카라 사이트˜assistive바카라 사이트™, meaning drivers must currently always remain in control and responsible.
Designed for use on a motorway in slow traffic, ALKS enables a vehicle to drive itself in a single lane, up to 37 mph, while maintaining the ability to return control easily and safely to the driver when required.
Meanwhile, the government expects to have a full regulatory framework in place to support the widespread deployment of the technology by 2025, helping to make the movement of people and goods safer, greener and more efficient.
The technology could improve road safety across Britain by reducing human error, which is a contributory factor in 88% of all recorded road collisions.바카라 사이트¯바카라 사이트¯바카라 사이트¯
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said:
The Highway Code has been updated a number of times in recent years to reflect the rapidly changing transport world we live in and these latest additions will help us all understand what we must and must not do as we move forward to an environment where cars drive themselves.
The final part of the jigsaw is to ensure these amendments are widely communicated to, 바카라 사이트‹and understood by,바카라 사이트‹ vehicle owners. Vehicle manufacturers and sellers will have a vital role to play in ensuring their customers fully appreciate the capabilities of the cars they buy and the rules that govern them.
Self-driving technology in cars, buses and delivery vehicles could바카라 사이트¯spark the beginning of the end of urban congestion, with traffic lights and vehicles speaking to each other to keep traffic flowing, reducing바카라 사이트¯emissions and improving air quality in our towns and cities.바카라 사이트¯바카라 사이트¯
The technology바카라 사이트¯could바카라 사이트¯also improve access to transport for바카라 사이트¯people with mobility issues바카라 사이트¯and lead to more reliable바카라 사이트¯public transport services,바카라 사이트¯helping to level-up access to transport in바카라 사이트¯historically disconnected바카라 사이트¯and rural바카라 사이트¯areas.바카라 사이트¯바카라 사이트¯
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:
Amending The Highway Code to reflect the pace of technological change will help clarify what motorists can and can바카라 사이트™t do when a self-driving feature is engaged, so promoting its safe use.
The technology could be available in the UK later this year and, with the right regulations in place, consumers are set to benefit from safer, more efficient journeys while the UK will strengthen its position as a global leader in the deployment of self-driving technology.
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