Proposals to regulate self-driving vehicles announced

On 18 December 2020, the Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission announced proposals to regulate self-driving vehicles which ensure safety through legal framework. The main proposals include:

• A scheme that includes monitoring the vehicles performance and software updates throughout its life to ensure safety.
• Defining the responsibilities of fleet owners, users, and drivers and ensuring that self-driving vehicles are only ever used in the way they are intended to be used.
• Making sure that technology developers and manufacturers recognise their role in guaranteeing the safety of the vehicle. This includes freeing the driver of criminal liability when the self-driving mode is engaged.

The Law Commission is continuing to consult on these proposals until 18 March 2021. A final report is expected in the final quarter or 2021.