Human drivers in UK won’t be liable for accidents when vehicle is self-driving

The UK has a plan to have self-driving vehicles on the road by 2025.

Over the weekend, the British government announced $119 million in funding for audiovisual projects and an additional $41 million for research to support safety.

New legislation will build on existing laws and state that manufacturers are responsible for the actions of self-driving vehicles, meaning a human driver would not be liable for incidents related to driving while the vehicle is in control of driving

This distinction could set a precedent around the world, where liability in the case of accidents involving self driving vehicles can still be murky. The human safety operator in the vehicle that killed the pedestrian was charged with negligent homicide. There were no charges against the ride-sharing company. The driver of a car that crashed into a building and killed two people was charged with two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter.

Britain has begun a consultation on the safety ambition for self-driving vehicles to be as safe as human drivers. The standards for operating autonomously on public roads would be helped by the results of the consultation.

It is a big leap from assisted driving, where the driver is in control, to self-driving, where the car takes control. Edmund King, president of the AA, said that it was important for the government to study how these vehicles would interact with other road users. The ultimate prize is saving thousands of lives and improving the mobility of the elderly and the less mobile.

The UK wants to take advantage of the emerging market for artificial intelligence, which it values at around $50 billion and could create over 30,000 jobs. About $24 million will be used to help kick-start commercial self-driving services. $7 million will be spent on market research and commercialization.

Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, said in a statement that they want the UK to be at the forefront of developing and using this fantastic technology, and that's why they are investing millions in vital research into safety and setting the legislation to ensure we gain the full benefits that this technology

Drivers with valid driver's licenses could be able to buy vehicles that can drive themselves on the motorway within a year, according to the government. Current legislation in the UK does not allow for British drivers to try out the full self-driving version of the car, even though it is one of the best selling cars in the country. The new legislation could open the door for cars with higher levels of ADAS.

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