The distant driving of automobiles from abroad, resembling for the supply of rental vehicles, may very well be banned following a government-commissioned overview.
The overview was carried out by the Legislation Fee of England and Wales, which advisable ministers regulate the know-how.
It’s at the moment used solely in managed environments, resembling farms and warehouses, however future functions might search to increase its use within the UK to the supply of rental vehicles.
The know-how permits for automobiles to be managed remotely, doubtlessly in public areas. There’s at the moment no UK legislation for a driver to be within the automobile they’re controlling.
The fee mentioned “difficulties in enforcement” meant distant driving from abroad must be prohibited “till acceptable worldwide agreements are in place”.
It instructed ministers that distant driving in public must be allowed provided that corporations obtained particular permissions.
The overview additionally acknowledged {that a} distant driver must be accountable for their actions in the identical approach as somebody sitting behind the wheel of a automobile, however there must be no legal responsibility for faults past their management, resembling connectivity failures.
Nicholas Paines KC, the general public legislation commissioner, mentioned: “Distant driving is an thrilling know-how, however earlier than we see remotely operated vehicles on UK roads we should handle security issues by way of robust regulation.
“Our recommendation concludes that within the quick time period, the federal government would be capable to handle some gaps within the legislation round distant driving utilizing present powers, whereas additionally offering a path for corporations to make use of the know-how lawfully offered that their methods are protected.
“In the long term, it might arrange a full system of distant driving regulation. Rules should reply to different elementary issues round safety threats and legal responsibility within the occasion of an accident.
“Our recommendation paper units out a street map for the way the federal government can handle these issues, while additionally encouraging corporations to innovate.”
The transport minister Jesse Norman mentioned: “Distant driving is already being efficiently used off-road in a number of industries and has large potential to supply new providers and security options for street automobiles.
“The federal government wants to make sure that security is on the forefront of using any new know-how, and the division will fastidiously contemplate the Legislation Fee’s suggestions.”
Final yr, the fee additionally advisable that customers of self-driving vehicles ought to have immunity from a variety of motoring offences, together with harmful driving, dashing and leaping crimson lights.
