Hands-free driving could soon be legal in UK as government conducts tests

The UK government has opened a consultation into new automated technologies, which could allow drivers some options to go hands-free with the overall aim of making driving on roads safer.

The call for evidence by the Department for Transport will look at the Automated Lane Keeping System (ALKS) – an automated system that can take over control of the vehicle at low speeds, keeping it in lane on highways.

This technology is designed to enable drivers – for the first time ever – to delegate the task of driving to the vehicle. When activated, the system keeps the vehicle within its lane, controlling its movements for extended periods of time without the driver needing to do anything. The driver must be ready and able to resume driving control when prompted by the vehicle.

“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," said UK Transport Minister Rachel Maclean.

“The UK’s work in this area is world-leading and the results from this call for evidence could be a significant step forward for this exciting technology," she said.

As part of the consultation launched on Tuesday, the government is seeking views from industry on the role of the driver and proposed rules on the use of this system to pave the way towards introducing it safely in Britain, within the current legal framework.

The call for evidence will ask whether vehicles using this technology should be legally defined as an automated vehicle, which would mean the technology provider would be responsible for the safety of the vehicle when the system is engaged, rather than the driver.

The call for evidence also seeks views on government proposals to allow the safe use of this system on British roads at speeds of up to 70mph.

“Over the last 50 years, leading edge in-car technology from seat belts to airbags and ABS [anti-lock braking system] has helped to save thousands of lives," said Edmund King, President of the Automobile Association (AA).

“The government is right to be consulting on the latest collision-avoidance system which has the potential to make our roads even safer in the future," he said.

Following the approval of ALKS Regulation in June 2020 by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) – of which the UK is a member – the new technology is likely to be available in cars entering the UK market from the first half of 2021. The government said it is acting now to ensure that regulation is ready where necessary for its introduction.

“Automated technologies for vehicles, of which automated lane keeping is the latest, will be life-changing, making our journeys safer and smoother than ever before and helping prevent some 47,000 serious accidents and save 3,900 lives over the next decade," said Mike Hawes, CEO of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

“This advanced technology is ready for roll out in new models from as early as 2021, so this announcement is a welcome step in preparing the UK for its use, so we can be among the first to grasp the benefits of this road safety revolution," he said.

Later this year, the government said it will open up a public consultation on the detail of any changes to legislation and the country’s Highway Code that are proposed by this week’s industry-wide call for evidence.