The latest proposed changes to The Highway Code are designed to make the rollout of self-driving vehicles safe but it’s good to delve into the details, says Balazs Csuvar, head of delivery at DG Cities, and partner in the D-RISK co-innovation project, with Imperial College London, dRisk.ai and Claytex. 

Balazs Csuvar, head of delivery at DG Cities, and partner in the D-RISK co-innovation project

The Government’s proposed changes to the Highway Code herald the new era of autonomous driving. The prospect is exciting. Self-driving cars are expected to reduce traffic accidents, make roads safer for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, and have the potential to reduce pollution too. 

The updated Highway Code will include some interesting prospects for motorists, including the option to watch TV whilst using self-driving mode, as long as they’re able to resume control of the vehicle in a timely manner.  

What will this actually mean for us? 

These changes will only be applicable in a small set of scenarios, primarily on motorways with slow-moving traffic (up to 37mph/60kmph). As soon as a lane change or shift to a higher speed is required, the driver will be asked to take back control.  

It’s less exciting than entering a destination into sat nav and falling asleep as you leave the driveway. But it is a key step towards proving the benefits of the technology, raising awareness of its capabilities and shortcomings, and establishing a clear liability framework between insurers, drivers, and vehicle manufacturers. 

Communicate the changes clearly 

Allowing the use of self-driving features is a huge step, but our research points to the importance of clear messaging, as most people are unfamiliar with AV technologies and many are sceptical. 

Our studies show that currently, only a third of people trust self-driving vehicles. A quarter are unconvinced. In trials, we have shown that exposure to self-driving technology can give people a better understanding of the technology and a clearer perception of its value. As driverless systems become more widely available, it will be crucial for automakers, software developers, regulators and policymakers to present the technology in a nuanced and carefully designed manner to overcome preconceived ideas and concerns. Language is important even today, with many reporting confusion around why in-built screens can be used while mobile phones cannot. 

Who is responsible? 

A common and accessible language is needed that clearly articulates self-driving capabilities and the distribution of responsibilities between the driver and the automaker, to avoid confusion and perhaps inevitably, accidents.  

Should we even rethink the way we take driving tests and update them as new technologies emerge? The Highway Code could potentially be changing rapidly over the next decade to accommodate all new vehicle features. As a result, we will need to rethink how we train and prepare road users to use these new technologies, and how we adapt licensing to accommodate a rapidly changing mobility landscape. People will need to remain up to date on the latest technologies and their responsibilities as road users. 

Full self-driving 

To become ubiquitous, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians all need reassurance that self-driving cars can deal with rare incidents, not just frequent causes of accidents that AV algorithms are tested against by default. When we talk to people about self-driving vehicles, they want to know if AVs will react correctly to sheep and deer crossing the road, or objects falling off the back of vehicles. 

For fully self-driving vehicles to become possible, a full safety framework with stringent testing protocols will have to be set up; something the Government is currently working on. This would allow vehicle systems to be tested and certified in a consistent way, giving confidence of safety to all road users. Creating this framework is difficult, as blueprints do not currently exist, even globally. This is unchartered territory, but one that many in the sector are working towards.   

The importance of working together   

This could be the first of many changes to the Highway Code, which might have to be rewritten entirely when we start to see autonomous technology become more widespread. That’s why I think it’s vital to start with the right focus: making the technology fool-proof and building public trust and acceptance. One of the greatest potential benefits of autonomous vehicles is improving road safety – we need to work together to deliver that.