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Drivers can take hands off wheel to send texts or watch films under government proposals
Law could change to permit advanced lane-keeping systems in cars to allow hands-free driving for the first time on UK roads
ByMike Wright18 August 2020 • 9:30pm
Drivers could be allowed to take their hands off the wheel to send a text or watch a film by next spring under proposals for self-driving technology being considered by ministers.
The Department for Transport is looking at plans to permit advanced lane-keeping systems in cars that would allow hands-free driving on UK roads for the first time.
One of the proposals under consideration is for driving regulations to be amended to allow drivers to watch films as well as send and read phone messages on their vehicle’s infotainment systems while the automated system is on.
If given the green light, the move would allow drivers to legally send electronic communications from behind the wheel, something which is currently banned.
The proposals have also said car manufacturers could potentially need to install shaking and vibrating seats to alert drivers when they need to take control of the vehicle again.
The details emerged as the Government launched its consultation on introducing new lane-keeping systems on Tuesday, in a move which represents the biggest step yet toward fully autonomous vehicles, with ministers saying the technology could be allowed on the roads as early as next Spring.
The initiative would see Level 3 Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS) being deployed in UK vehicles, meaning the car would be able take control of driving on straight roads such as motorways aided by distance sensors monitoring traffic in front and in the rear.
Currently, Level 2 ALKS is permitted in the UK and is already in models such as the latest Teslas, but under this system the driver has to keep their eyes on the road at all times.
However, under Level 3 the driver is allowed to take their attention from the road as long as they remain ready to take back control of the vehicle at a moment’s notice.
The Department for Transport is currently consulting on allowing the system to be potentially used at speeds up to 70mph. Yet, the technology is mainly envisaged for scenarios such as heavy traffic on motorways or straight roads, where the driver can turn the driving over to the vehicle until speeds pick up again.
Edmund King, the President of the AA, said the technology had the potential to make roads safer by helping to eliminate human error.
He told The Telegraph: “With the current (ALKS) systems they can assist but they cannot take over, so this system is a radical departure into the brave new world whereby you are putting more of the trust into the vehicle than the driver.
“You cannot hold back technology; it is coming and it will bring safety benefits. But let’s test it first and let’s have a decent pilot. Technology is one thing, it is also how drivers react to it - so will they panic and turn it off too soon or will they use it on the wrong kind of roads?”
The Government’s consultation document said that as part of the scheme it is looking at changing regulations that only allow drivers to use onboard screens in cars to show directions or information related to the vehicle.
This would open up the opportunity for car infotainment systems to be legally used by the driver for entertainment or to check messages on a phone connected to the car’s system.
Currently, drivers face getting six points and a £200 fine if caught using their phone behind the wheel, although they can use it as a SatNav if it is in a holder.
Police data has shown that the number of motorists caught using a mobile phone illegally has almost halved since penalties for offenders were doubled CREDIT: PA
Drivers are allowed to use infotainment systems in a limited fashion while driving but face a criminal charge of driving without due care and attention if they become distracted.
The Telegraph understands the Department for Transport is looking at allowing drivers to potentially send messages and watch films via the infotainment system rather than directly from phones as the latter would need a change of legislation.
The consultation will also look at whether the vehicle manufacturer could become legally responsible for the safety of the vehicle for the first time, rather than the driver, when the automatic system is engaged.
Following the launch of the consultation, Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said: “Automated technology could make driving safer, smoother and easier for motorists and the UK should be the first country to see these benefits, attracting manufacturers to develop and test new technologies.”
www.telegraph.co.uk
Law could change to permit advanced lane-keeping systems in cars to allow hands-free driving for the first time on UK roads
ByMike Wright18 August 2020 • 9:30pm
Drivers could be allowed to take their hands off the wheel to send a text or watch a film by next spring under proposals for self-driving technology being considered by ministers.
The Department for Transport is looking at plans to permit advanced lane-keeping systems in cars that would allow hands-free driving on UK roads for the first time.
One of the proposals under consideration is for driving regulations to be amended to allow drivers to watch films as well as send and read phone messages on their vehicle’s infotainment systems while the automated system is on.
If given the green light, the move would allow drivers to legally send electronic communications from behind the wheel, something which is currently banned.
The proposals have also said car manufacturers could potentially need to install shaking and vibrating seats to alert drivers when they need to take control of the vehicle again.
The details emerged as the Government launched its consultation on introducing new lane-keeping systems on Tuesday, in a move which represents the biggest step yet toward fully autonomous vehicles, with ministers saying the technology could be allowed on the roads as early as next Spring.
The initiative would see Level 3 Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS) being deployed in UK vehicles, meaning the car would be able take control of driving on straight roads such as motorways aided by distance sensors monitoring traffic in front and in the rear.
Currently, Level 2 ALKS is permitted in the UK and is already in models such as the latest Teslas, but under this system the driver has to keep their eyes on the road at all times.
However, under Level 3 the driver is allowed to take their attention from the road as long as they remain ready to take back control of the vehicle at a moment’s notice.
The Department for Transport is currently consulting on allowing the system to be potentially used at speeds up to 70mph. Yet, the technology is mainly envisaged for scenarios such as heavy traffic on motorways or straight roads, where the driver can turn the driving over to the vehicle until speeds pick up again.
Edmund King, the President of the AA, said the technology had the potential to make roads safer by helping to eliminate human error.
He told The Telegraph: “With the current (ALKS) systems they can assist but they cannot take over, so this system is a radical departure into the brave new world whereby you are putting more of the trust into the vehicle than the driver.
“You cannot hold back technology; it is coming and it will bring safety benefits. But let’s test it first and let’s have a decent pilot. Technology is one thing, it is also how drivers react to it - so will they panic and turn it off too soon or will they use it on the wrong kind of roads?”
The Government’s consultation document said that as part of the scheme it is looking at changing regulations that only allow drivers to use onboard screens in cars to show directions or information related to the vehicle.
This would open up the opportunity for car infotainment systems to be legally used by the driver for entertainment or to check messages on a phone connected to the car’s system.
Currently, drivers face getting six points and a £200 fine if caught using their phone behind the wheel, although they can use it as a SatNav if it is in a holder.
Police data has shown that the number of motorists caught using a mobile phone illegally has almost halved since penalties for offenders were doubled CREDIT: PA
Drivers are allowed to use infotainment systems in a limited fashion while driving but face a criminal charge of driving without due care and attention if they become distracted.
The Telegraph understands the Department for Transport is looking at allowing drivers to potentially send messages and watch films via the infotainment system rather than directly from phones as the latter would need a change of legislation.
The consultation will also look at whether the vehicle manufacturer could become legally responsible for the safety of the vehicle for the first time, rather than the driver, when the automatic system is engaged.
Following the launch of the consultation, Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said: “Automated technology could make driving safer, smoother and easier for motorists and the UK should be the first country to see these benefits, attracting manufacturers to develop and test new technologies.”
Drivers can take hands off wheel to send texts or watch films under government proposals
Law could change to permit advanced lane-keeping systems in cars to allow hands-free driving for the first time on UK roads
www.telegraph.co.uk
