According to planned changes to the Highway Code, people who use self-driving cars would be able to watch TV on built-in screens. According to the government, the revisions will require drivers to be prepared to regain control of their vehicles whenever requested.
Self-driving cars are anticipated to make their first appearance on highways at modest speeds, such as in heavy traffic. However, it will remain unlawful to use a cellphone while driving.
Self-driving cars are not currently permitted on UK roads, but the Department for Transport (DfT) has stated that the first self-driving vehicles could be available later this year. The anticipated code changes are expected to be implemented this summer.
The changes, which were recommended after public consultation, are defined as a temporary solution to encourage early use of the technology, with a full legal framework expected to be in place by 2025.
They will also state that users of self-driving cars will not be held liable in the event of a collision.
In April of last year, the government stated that hands-free driving in vehicles equipped with lane-keeping technology would be permitted on congested highways.
Automated lane-keeping system technology allows a vehicle to travel up to 37 mph (60 km/h) in a single lane while maintaining the ability to return control to the driver when necessary.
Motorists should be prepared to take control from an automated system when instructed, such as while approaching a motorway exit, according to the new guidance.
The current technology is ‘assistive,’ which means drivers should always maintain control, according to the Department for Transport.
When the driver is necessary to resume control, experts recommend that a vehicle can disable built-in screens that display material unrelated to driving.
However, there is no analogous technique for turning off handheld mobile devices at the moment.
The update to the Highway Code, according to Transport Minister Trudy Harrison, will be a “significant milestone in our safe adoption of self-driving vehicles.”
She also stated that its use would “revolutionize the way we travel,” making future journeys “greener, safer, and more dependable.”
According to the Department for Transport, the development of self-driving vehicles may generate roughly 38,000 new jobs and be worth £41.7 billion to the UK economy by 2035.
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