The UK government has unveiled plans which could see self-driving vehicles on UK roads by 2025, with some automated vehicles on motorways as early as next year.
Backed by an investment of £100m, it is creating new legislation to accelerate the roll out of automated vehicles which it believes could create 38,000 new jobs and add £42bn to the UK economy.
Of the £100m investment, £34m will be dedicated to research to enhance safety with a further £20m to kick-start self-driving projects and services, such as airport shuttle pods and home deliveries.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said, “The benefits of self-driving vehicles have the potential to be huge. Not only can they improve people’s access to education and other vital services, but the industry itself can create tens of thousands of job opportunities throughout the country. Most importantly, they’re expected to make our roads safer by reducing the dangers of driver error in road collisions.
“We want the UK to be at the forefront of developing and using this fantastic technology, and that is why we are investing millions in vital research into safety and setting the legislation to ensure we gain the full benefits that this technology promises.”
AA President Edmund King said, “The automotive world is changing rapidly and so the government is right to embrace the positive changes offered by this new technology and back it by funding research and putting forward legislation. Assisted driving systems, for example, autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, are already helping millions of drivers stay safe on the roads.It is still quite a big leap from assisted driving, where the driver is still in control, to self-driving, where the car takes control. However, the ultimate prize, in terms of saving thousands of lives and improving the mobility of the elderly and the less mobile, is well worth pursuing.”
