The new law also addresses the issue of liability in case of a self-driving car accident, stating that corporations will be responsible for any mishaps, not the human driver. Each approved self-driving vehicle will have a corresponding "Authorised Self-Driving Entity", which could be the manufacturer, software developer, or insurance company. This entity will be responsible for the vehicle when self-driving mode is activated. The government will also set up a vehicle approval system backed by an independent incident investigation function.
Key takeaways:
- The U.K.'s Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, which regulates self-driving cars, has received royal assent and is now law. The government expects fully self-driving vehicles to be on U.K. roads within two years.
- The new legislation will make corporations responsible for any mishaps with self-driving cars, meaning a human driver would not be liable for incidents related to driving while the vehicle is in control of driving.
- Each approved self-driving vehicle will have a corresponding “Authorised Self-Driving Entity,” which could be the manufacturer, software developer or insurance company. This entity will be responsible for the vehicle when self-driving mode is activated.
- The Government will set up a vehicle approval system backed by a “completely independent incident investigation function,” with companies approved to operate under the new regulations expected to meet “ongoing obligations” to ensure their vehicles are safe.