No need for safety drivers in AVs, says UK government

The UK Government has developed a Code of Practice for conducting trials of automated vehicles where you do not need to have a backup safety driver in the car.

But you still need to have human oversight.

The code says “During automated vehicle trials on public roads or in other public places, a suitably licensed and trained safety driver or safety operator should supervise the vehicle at all times, ensuring the vehicle is observing traffic laws, and should be ready and able to over-ride automated operation if necessary. The safety driver or operator may be outside of the vehicle, as long as they have the necessary capability to be able to resume control of the vehicle. 

The Government says it is a world leader in automated vehicle development and they are pushing hard to keep that position.

Not surprising as the UK’s market for connected and automated vehicles is estimated to be worth $90 billion AUD by 2035.

The government has commitment to have fully self-driving vehicles on UK roads by 2021, as part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy.

In response to feedback from industry, the government has also announced that its world-leading code of practice for testing automated vehicles will be strengthened further to set even clearer expectations for safe and responsible trials.