The distant driving of automobiles from abroad, resembling for the supply of rental automobiles, could possibly be banned following a government-commissioned assessment.
The assessment was carried out by the Regulation Fee of England and Wales, which really useful 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 automobiles.
The expertise permits for automobiles to be managed remotely, doubtlessly in public areas. There may be presently no UK legislation for a driver to be within the automobile they’re controlling.
The fee stated “difficulties in enforcement” meant distant driving from abroad ought to be prohibited “till applicable worldwide agreements are in place”.
It instructed ministers that distant driving in public ought to be allowed provided that corporations obtained particular permissions.
The assessment additionally said {that a} distant driver ought to be liable for their actions in the identical method as somebody sitting behind the wheel of a automobile, however there ought to be no legal responsibility for faults past their management, resembling connectivity failures.
Nicholas Paines KC, the general public legislation commissioner, stated: “Distant driving is an thrilling expertise, however earlier than we see remotely operated automobiles on UK roads we should tackle security considerations by means of robust regulation.
“Our recommendation concludes that within the instant time period, the federal government would be capable to tackle some gaps within the legislation round distant driving utilizing present powers, whereas additionally offering a path for corporations to make use of the expertise lawfully supplied that their techniques are protected.
“In the long term, it might arrange a full system of distant driving regulation. Rules should reply to different elementary considerations round safety threats and legal responsibility within the occasion of an accident.
“Our recommendation paper units out a street map for a way the federal government can tackle 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 supply new providers and security options for street automobiles.
“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 Regulation Fee’s suggestions.”
Final yr, the fee additionally really useful that customers of self-driving automobiles ought to have immunity from a variety of motoring offences, together with harmful driving, rushing and leaping crimson lights.
