Legal News

The government is considering reforms to the Highway Code to meet the demands of technological developments such as driverless cars.

Cars which operate without a driver are already being trialled in the US, including Google’s driverless car, which so far has not had an accident.

Self-drive cars tend to move more slowly, however, and Google’s driverless car does not have a steering wheel, or brake or accelerator pedals.

The Google self-drive car has start-stop buttons, however, and a button to make the car pull over or carry out an emergency stop.

It is also fitted with a computer screen to show passengers their route.

The Daily Mail reports that UK motorists will benefit from changes to the 1968 United Nations Convention on Road Traffic, which last month was amended to make it legal for self-drive cars to be used on roads in the EU, provided a passenger could switch the vehicle off or the operating system could be overridden by a passenger.

Science Minister David Willetts is already in talks with the Department for Transport about changes to the law to enable driverless cars to be used on Britain’s roads. Developers in Oxford are currently working on the UK’s first driverless car.

Mr Willetts said:

“There is British technology, and it's a lot cheaper than the Google technology.

“But whereas [with] the Google car, they have notched up more miles, so we have got to ensure that the British [car] has its own opportunity to get tested in a wider range of environments – and that's what we are working on with the Department for Transport.

“Certainly, there are new regulations being drafted in California and obviously this is something I have discussed with the Department for Transport, we are aware of it.

“We need to work on these type of regulations so that as the technology develops in Oxford and elsewhere we can see them used.”

Road safety in the UK has been a regular focus of media attention, especially regarding injuries to and deaths among cyclists on London’s roads. Lorry cabs are currently being redesigned under an initiative encouraged by the European Commission, in a move away from brick-shaped cabs to cabs with more cushioning round the front bumper, rounder designs and larger windows to enable HGV drivers to see other road users more clearly.

Google self-drive cars have also been designed with foam material where a traditional bumper would sit – as well as a flexible windscreen. The speed limit for self-drive Google cars has been set at 25mph. Lower speed limits are known to increase the chances of a pedestrian or cyclist surviving a collision with a car.

The Daily Mail reports that a £10 million fund is to be launched to find a town or city to be used as a test site for driverless cars in the UK.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – Road Traffic Accidents

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors have a successful track record in winning compensation for road users and passengers or pedestrians who have suffered injury as a result of a negligent driver.

Claimants usually have three years from the date of injury in which to make a no win no fee claim for Road Traffic Accident (RTA) injuries.

Claims can be made via the fast-track RTA Claims Portal for claims under £10,000 – or in the civil courts for higher-value claims involving more severe or life changing injuries.
For expert legal advice on no win no fee Road Traffic Accident Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.