Autonomous vehicles

A key area in the development of the law for autonomous vehicles, also known as automated vehicles, driverless cars, or self driving cars, has involved identifying the language that should be used to define such vehicles and establishing a “clear bright line” between vehicles that satisfy the test for self driving or not. The Law Commissions, in their joint report, Automated Vehicles (see further below), described automated vehicles as:

‘…a vehicle that is designed to be capable of “driving itself”: to operate in a mode “in which it is not being controlled and does not need to be monitored by an individual, for at least part of a journey”.’

The Law Commissions identified that these terms should be reserved for vehicles where “the human in the driving seat (if any) may relax and divert their attention, knowing that they are not responsible for anything that happens while the automated driving system (ADS) is engaged”.

They contrasted self-driving cars with technology that is designed to assist human drivers but still requires the human behind the wheel to monitor the vehicle and the driving environment. This approach is endorsed in

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest TMT News

FCA’s 2024 consumer focus still has firms guessing

Law360, London: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) shifted further toward results-based financial regulation in 2024 by requiring regulated companies to comply better with its Consumer Duty, forcing managers to make individual interpretations of the regime's often ambiguous requirements where more specific rules are missing.

CMA publishes MoUs for digital markets regulatory coordination

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to formalise regulatory coordination with key UK authorities under the Digital Markets Competition Regime. The MoUs involve the ICO, the Bank of England and PRA, the FCA, and Ofcom. They outline collaboration frameworks for enforcing the Digital Markets Competition Regime and addressing shared responsibilities in overseeing digital markets, ensuring coherent approaches to regulation and compliance.

Commission seeks feedback on Apple's EU DMA interoperability measures

The European Commission has issued preliminary findings to Apple regarding two specification proceedings under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA). The Commission has proposed measures for Apple to ensure interoperability of connected devices with iPhones and to enhance transparency in third-party interoperability processes. The Commission aims to enforce Apple's obligation to provide free and effective interoperability with iOS and iPadOS features, as mandated by the DMA. Two public consultations have been launched, seeking feedback on these measures until 9 January 2025.

Ofcom proposes update to general information gathering policy

Ofcom has announced a proposed update to its general information gathering policy, reflecting new processes and additional powers acquired since 2005. The regulator has stated that this policy will explain how it exercises its statutory information gathering powers under various Acts, including the Communications Act 2003 and Postal Services Act 2011. Ofcom has clarified that the policy will not apply where separate guidance exists, such as for the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018 and the upcoming Online Safety Act 2023 powers.