Self-driving vehicles are expected to be on the roads by 2026 as the Automated Vehicles Act comes into force

Self-driving vehicles could be on UK roads by 2026 after the government launched the world-leading automated vehicle program (A V) The law came into force today (May 20, 2024).

Announced in the speech of the king, the A V Act enables advanced technology to drive vehicles safely on UK roads. The new law puts the UK firmly at the forefront of regulating autonomous driving technologies, unlocking the potential of an industry estimated to be worth up to £42 billion and creating 38,000 more skilled jobs by 2035.

Road safety is at the heart of the legislation. Automated vehicles are designed to improve road safety by reducing human error, which is responsible for 88% of all road accidents.

The law requires self-driving vehicles to achieve a level of safety at least as high as that of careful and competent human drivers and to pass rigorous safety checks before being allowed on the road. Therefore, deaths and injuries caused by drunk driving, speeding, fatigue and inattention could be drastically reduced in the future.

Transport Minister Mark Harper said:

Britain is on the cusp of an automotive revolution and this new law is a milestone for our self-driving industry, which has the potential to change the way we travel forever.

Although this doesn’t take away people’s ability to drive themselves, our landmark legislation means self-driving vehicles can be introduced on UK roads as early as 2026, giving a real boost to both safety and our economy.

The passage of the law strengthens the United KingdomThe position as a global leader in emerging industries, both in self-driving vehicles and artificial intelligence (AI) Sectors that offer enormous potential for economic growth as they develop.

The A V The law follows self-driving trials already taking place across the country. For example, homegrown British success stories Wayve and Oxa are testing self-driving cars in London and Oxford. This month it was announced that Wayve had secured more than $1 billion in investment to develop its company AI Technology continues here in the United Kingdom.

Wayve has said that their technological advances have been supported by the United KingdomCode of Conduct: Automated Vehicle Testing, which sets out a clear framework to support and promote the safe use of self-driving vehicle technology.

Between 2018 and 2022 United Kingdom The self-driving vehicle sector alone generated £475m of direct investment and created 1,500 new jobs. Self-driving vehicles could support areas where there were previously driver shortages, such as transportation, and where work can be dangerous, such as mining.

The law provides the most comprehensive legal framework of its kind in the world and determines who is liable AVs This means that drivers can be assured that while their vehicle is in autonomous driving mode, they cannot be held responsible for the way the vehicle is driven. For the first time, corporations such as insurance companies, software developers and automobile manufacturers can take on this responsibility.

To ensure these vehicles are safe on UK roads, the vehicle licensing system is supported by a fully independent incident investigation function. This will promote the same culture of learning and continuous improvement that has made our aviation industry one of the safest in the world. Companies will still be required to keep their vehicles safe and ensure they continue to drive in accordance with UK laws.

Trials show how self-driving vehicles can be used to improve the lives of millions of Brits – improving mobility and access to services, reducing isolation and better connecting rural communities. The law enables the use of vehicles for millions of people who were previously unable to do so, improving transport connectivity across the country.

Paul Newman, founder and CTO from Oxa, said:

The immense work that has been done by us DfTlegal commissions and CCAV He helped craft the Automated Vehicles Act to ensure it became law with the strongest bipartisan support. We now have autonomous vehicle legislation that is more comprehensive in its scope and clearer in its requirements than in any other country.

The law gives that United Kingdom New dynamics as developers like Oxa must comply with the world’s most comprehensive autonomous vehicle laws to deploy technology in vehicles. Meet the Highest A V Standards will put British companies at the forefront of the world with the safest and most secure technology AI Systems are the most trustworthy – all key to building business and public trust in autonomy worldwide.

Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO from Wayve, said:

I am pleased that the Automated Vehicles Bill has received Royal Assent. This is a crucial milestone for the United Kingdom‘s use of self-driving technology and cements the United Kingdom as a global leader in regulating this sector. We are grateful to the Government and everyone who joined us in the conversation about the importance of this legislation.

Self-driving technology promises a safer, smarter and more sustainable future for transportation. There is still a long way to go with secondary legislation before we can fully exploit the benefits of self-driving vehicles United KingdomHowever, we are confident that the government will prioritize these next steps so that this technology can be deployed as quickly as possible.

Mike Hawes, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Chief Executive said:

This is a turning point for United Kingdom Automotive innovation and road safety in the United Kingdom. Self-driving vehicles will revolutionize our society, and this new law will help turn ambitious goals into reality United Kingdom alongside a handful of other global markets that already have regulatory frameworks in place.

The industry will continue to work closely with government and other stakeholders to develop the necessary secondary legislation that will enable the safe and responsible commercial deployment of self-driving vehicles and the significant social and economic benefits associated with them United Kingdom.

Richard Cuerden, Director of the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), said:

TRL welcomes the A V Bill and the ambitious direction he sets for improving transportation. The automated technology, software and sensors, as well as the business models for providing new services, are evolving rapidly. By establishing a regulatory framework, the government is giving the industry confidence and motivation to continue doing so and we expect investment in the industry to increase United Kingdomin this growing sector.

The promise is: more accessible, safer and greener travel for goods and people TRL We are working hard to ensure this is achieved. Commercial success will only be possible if the public has confidence in the technology and decides to use it AVs. Security is critical here and we work hard to develop secure technical and system requirements. At the same time, we recognize that it is equally important to build public trust.

The passing of the new law follows consistent government support for the self-driving vehicle industry – with more than £600 million in joint government and industry investment since 2015. This funding has helped to create and build innovative new companies A V Supply chain and lay the foundation for the early commercial market.