Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted
Require Government to adopt a cautious, gradual approach to self-driving vehicle introduction.
Recommendation
In principle we welcome the introduction of self-driving vehicles, but the Government must take a cautious, gradual approach with the technology introduced only in well- defined and appropriate contexts. As such, we broadly welcome the strategy the Government has set out. However, without careful handling, self-driving vehicles could worsen congestion and exacerbate existing inequalities in transport access. The Government must ensure the introduction of self-driving vehicles is responsive to the wider population and meets the UK’s transport goals. (Paragraph 35) How safe are self-driving vehicles?
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts, outlining existing definitions of self-driving vehicles and regulations for safe handovers from systems to drivers. It notes ongoing work through the CAVPASS program to consider driver education and licensing, alongside updates to The Highway Code and a communication toolkit.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government partially accepts this recommendation. As set out in CAM 2025 and the recently announced Automated Vehicles Bill, a vehicle will not be considered as self-driving if human monitoring or intervention is needed in order for the vehicle to drive safely and legally. If a human is needed to monitor or control the driving, any system fitted on the vehicle is considered driver assistance - the driver must remain engaged at all times and is responsible at all times A self-driving system must be capable of driving safely and legally when engaged (noting that a system may only be engaged under certain circumstances). If a self-driving system can only undertake part of a journey, for example motorway driving only, a driver will be required for the remainder of the journey. Any hand-over from the system to the driver must be safe and will be regulated by the Government. A hand-over, known as a ‘transition demand’, must meet specific safety criteria which include allowing sufficient time for the driver to safely re-take control. The Government recognises that driver skills must be kept up to date and must remain sufficient to ensure the safety of the vehicle they are driving. The Government keeps the law under review so that it is fit for purpose and there is an ongoing evolution of driver testing. For example, the safe use of sat nav is now included in the driving test. As part of the Government’s CAVPASS safety assurance programme, work is underway to consider the education, training and licensing needs of drivers and the wider public in relation to self-driving vehicles. Changes have already been made to The Highway Code to support driver understanding of self-driving technology, and a communication toolkit has been developed for those who may be selling self-driving vehicles in the future.