Global law firm Clyde & Co has issued a statement welcoming the government’s latest publication on self-driving vehicles, Connected and Automated Mobility 2025, calling the report a step forward.
“It demonstrates that the UK government has reached two key conclusions,” said Alistair Kinley (pictured above), Clyde & Co’s director of policy and government affairs. “First, the Law Commission’s guidance on how to build a new, safety-focused, legal framework for autonomous vehicles should be adopted. Second, handled effectively, the introduction of autonomous vehicles onto Britain’s roads by 2025 would be a major technological win for the country.”
Based on the report’s depth of detail of various work streams and action points, Kinley said it was clear the government’s goal was for the UK to be at the forefront of autonomous vehicles globally.
“The successful introduction of autonomous vehicles will bring technological innovations and environmental benefits,” he said. “But it’s not going to be plain sailing. The timescales contained in the report are just about realistic and the legislation will need to encompass insurance, data sharing, and privacy in addition to all the technical aspects. It’s going to be a heavy piece of legislation.”
Regarding liability and insurance, the report emphasized the need for a bright-line test between human driver control and true self-driving.
The government aims to implement its plans in full from 2024 to 2025 – though Kinley pointed out that the UK could begin to see automated lane-keeping systems (ALKS) as early as next year.
Clyde & Co said the report adopted the Law Commission’s recommendations for a new regulatory framework allowing for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles. It confirmed that the government would continue to consult on sharing data with insurers for claims investigations and engage more widely to understand how product liability law might need to be updated.
“We also anticipate significant consultation about the necessary secondary legislation,” Kinley said.
