The Government has stated that automated lane-keeping systems, also known as ALKS, could be the first type of hands-free driving that is legal on UK roads by the end of this year. Limited to 37mph, ALKS can control the speed and position of a vehicle in a single lane. As result of a consultation, The Department for Transport said that cars fitted with ALKS can now be defined as self-driving by law. However, insurers have warned that the common use of the phrase ‘self-driving’ in association with these technologies is misleading, and potentially dangerous.
The Governments faith in this tech is evident, as they confirm that ‘Drivers will not be required to monitor the road when the vehicle is driving itself’ but they emphasised the fact that ‘The driver will need to stay alert and be able to take over when requested by the system within 10 second.’ The Highway Code is discussing how legislation will need to be amended or added in reaction to the new technology.
Automatic driving lessons might take on a new meaning to instructors in future when it doesn’t simply refer to the type of transmission. Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said that ‘This is a major step for the safe use of self-driving vehicles in the UK, making future journeys greener, easier and more reliable while also helping the nation build back better.’ So it will be very interesting to see when self-driving cars navigate through Newbury’s streets, and just how safe it will be to let the cars think for us.