The distant driving of autos from abroad, resembling for the supply of rental vehicles, might be banned following a government-commissioned overview.
The overview was carried out by the Legislation Fee of England and Wales, which beneficial ministers regulate the expertise.
It’s presently 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 expertise permits for autos to be managed remotely, doubtlessly in public areas. There may be presently no UK regulation for a driver to be within the car they’re controlling.
The fee stated “difficulties in enforcement” meant distant driving from abroad needs to be prohibited “till applicable worldwide agreements are in place”.
It instructed ministers that distant driving in public needs to be allowed provided that corporations obtained particular permissions.
The overview additionally acknowledged {that a} distant driver needs to be liable for their actions in the identical means as somebody sitting behind the wheel of a car, however there needs to be no legal responsibility for faults past their management, resembling connectivity failures.
Nicholas Paines KC, the general public regulation commissioner, stated: “Distant driving is an thrilling expertise, however earlier than we see remotely operated vehicles on UK roads we should handle security considerations by sturdy regulation.
“Our recommendation concludes that within the quick time period, the federal government would be capable of handle some gaps within the regulation round distant driving utilizing current powers, whereas additionally offering a path for corporations to make use of the expertise lawfully offered that their techniques are protected.
“In the long run, it might arrange a full system of distant driving regulation. Laws should reply to different elementary considerations round safety threats and legal responsibility within the occasion of an accident.
“Our recommendation paper units out a highway map for the way the federal government can handle these issues, while additionally encouraging corporations to innovate.”
The transport minister Jesse Norman stated: “Distant driving is already being efficiently used off-road in a number of industries and has big potential to offer new providers and security options for highway autos.
“The federal government wants to make sure that security is on the forefront of the usage of any new expertise, and the division will rigorously take into account the Legislation Fee’s suggestions.”
Final yr, the fee additionally beneficial 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.
