Self-driving vehicle law changes may cause chaos and give motorists a 'false sense of security'
The new Bill could create 38,000 new skilled jobs by 2035
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The Automated Vehicles Bill was introduced by King Charles during the King’s Speech today, but not everyone is satisfied with the new driving law changes.
The Government hopes it will cement the UK as a world leader in the sector and see growth of up to £42billion, as well as create 38,000 skilled jobs by 2035.
In addition to the economic benefits, it had been forecast that for every 10,000 errors made by a human, a self-driving vehicle would make just one.
WATCH NOW: The King's Speech in full
The King said: “My Ministers will introduce new legal frameworks to support the safe commercial development of emerging industries, such as self-driving vehicles...”
While some experts praised the rollout of self-driving technology, others were more critical, saying alternative motoring factors were vital to contribute to the uptake of autonomous vehicles.
Commenting on the King’s Speech, Edmund King, AA president, said the Government needed to focus on signage and the state of roads to ensure drivers remain satisfied.
He highlighted how a staggering 96 per cent of AA members said the number one issue with driving was the general condition of roads and potholes.
He added: “Road travellers also need clearer signage and guidance that is uniform across the country for policies such as 20mph speed limits and clean air restrictions.
“Road users should not fear that measures introduced for the common good become a trap for generating fines.”
He added that the rollout of autonomous vehicles could have benefits for the UK but further work was needed to ensure it would work.
Edmund King continued, saying: “The plans to introduce self-driving vehicles provide the opportunity for more efficient travel, but safety must be paramount when rolled out onto UK roads.
“Vehicle technology to improve road safety can be designed into cars more quickly, reducing the likelihood of crashes, the workload of the emergency services, and avoidable casualties.”
In September, the Transport Select Committee called on the Government to change self-driving vehicle laws to allow for a wider rollout and ensure the UK remains dominant in the sector.
It described the previous legislation as “archaic and limiting”, with steps now being taken to continue the UK’s growth in the autonomous industry.
Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driver Training, says: “The Prime Minister has today announced the introduction of “level four” fully autonomous vehicles on the roads.
“At RED, we welcome technological advancements within the industry, but road safety remains the priority.
“The driving test should be adapted to include the skills needed to navigate the introduction of fully self-driving vehicles.
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The Government has already invested hundreds of millions of pounds into the self-driving industry
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“Although the driver is still fundamentally in control in autonomous vehicles, there are periods where assistance devices on the car might lull the driver into a false sense of security, so it’s important learners are well informed for the safety of themselves and other road users.
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