Driverless vehicle technology has the potential to be a real game changer on the UK’s roads, altering the face of motoring in the most fundamental of ways and delivering major benefits for road safety, social inclusion, emissions and congestion. The UK is already a world leading centre for vehicle research and technology. This review concludes that our legal and regulatory framework is not a barrier to the testing of automated vehicles on public roads. This creates a tremendous opportunity for the whole country to share in shaping the future of these exciting developments and the Government, working with the devolved administrations, wants to play its part in making that happen. This document lays out the Government’s plans to facilitate the testing and production of vehicles in which the driver can choose to use their travel time in ways that have never previously been possible. When you consider that the average driver spends the equivalent of six working weeks driving a year, this represents a real opportunity. In addition, automated vehicles that never get tired or distracted could hold the key to substantially improving road safety. (Author/publisher)
Abstract