Autonomous driving Set to Become Legal in the U.K.

LONDON – The U.K. government has started consultation on allowing autonomous driving – self-driving – modes up to 70mph, with the potential for legislation as early as spring 2021, bringing U.K. law and standards in line with UNECE targets. The consultation period will run until October 27, 2020, with industry bodies providing expert feedback as well as comments from the public, but it is worth noting this is just the first stage towards autonomous cars on British roads. The consultation is specifically focused on ALKS (Automated Lane Keeping Systems) and operation on motorways, where pedestrians, cyclists and animals should not be a consideration. Rather than the time-limited, hands on the wheel systems you can get currently from premium marques such as Mercedes-Benz and Audi, you'll be able to enjoy the same stress-free approach of autonomous driving as you do with traffic-jam systems at legal motorway speeds. It is highly likely the legislation will proceed – supported by industry bodies such as the AA, who welcome any new safety system – but for it to do so several previous laws must change.