Are you ready for hands-free driving?
04 May 2021
On April 28 2021, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced that vehicles with autonomous lane-keeping systems (ALKS) could legally be able to be driven hands-free by the end of the year.
The announcement comes following a call for evidence in August 2020.
ALKS enable a vehicle to drive itself by keeping to a single lane and allowing the driver to easily resume control at any time. The DfT says that “the technology could improve road safety by reducing human error, which contributes to over 85% of accidents”.
Under the new proposals, ALKS enabled vehicles will be able to be driven hands-free at speeds of up to 37mph, a limit which could be increased in the future, effectively reserving use for congested sections of motorway.
A new consultation on The Highway Code rules is now underway to ensure that ALKS technology will be used safely.
Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said, “This is a major step for the safe use of self-driving vehicles in the UK, making future journeys greener, easier and more reliable while also helping the nation to build back better.
“But we must ensure that this exciting new tech is deployed safely, which is why we are consulting on what the rules to enable this should look like. In doing so, we can improve transport for all, securing the UK’s place as a global science superpower”.
The government says that this technology, which is estimated to create 38,000 new jobs, could “spark the beginning of the end of urban congestion, with traffic lights and vehicles speaking to each other to keep traffic flowing, reducing emissions and improving air quality in our towns and cities”.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said, “The automotive industry welcomes this vital step to permit the use of automated vehicles on UK roads, which will put Britain in the vanguard of road safety and automotive technology. Automated driving systems could prevent 47,000 serious accidents and save 3,900 lives over the next decade through their ability to reduce the single largest cause of road accidents – human error.
“Technologies such as Automated Lane Keeping Systems will pave the way for higher levels of automation in future – and these advances will unleash Britain’s potential to be a world leader in the development and use of these technologies, creating essential jobs while ensuring our roads remain among the safest on the planet”.
Of course, the announcement has been met with some uncertainty and concern, as people remain unsure as to the safety of hands-free driving. Director of research at Thatcham Research Matthew Avery said, “There is still a lot of work needed though by both legislators and the automotive industry before any vehicle can be classed as automated and allowed safely on to the UK roads.”
He told AutoExpress that ALKS is “not automated” as it relies on the driver to take back control in certain situations and said that the label ‘automated’ could contribute to “the confusion and frequent misuse of assisted driving systems that have unfortunately already led to many tragic deaths”. Matthew Avery expressed that a “widespread and effective” communications campaign is essential.
We at Marshall Minibus leasing are always interested in the latest developments in technology designed to improve road safety and trust that you find this information useful.
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