The distant driving of autos from abroad, similar to for the supply of rental vehicles, may very well be banned following a government-commissioned evaluate.
The evaluate was carried out by the Regulation Fee of England and Wales, which really helpful ministers regulate the know-how.
It’s presently used solely in managed environments, similar to farms and warehouses, however future purposes might search to increase its use within the UK to the supply of rental vehicles.
The know-how permits for autos to be managed remotely, probably in public areas. There may be presently no UK regulation for a driver to be within the automobile they’re controlling.
The fee stated “difficulties in enforcement” meant distant driving from abroad must be prohibited “till applicable worldwide agreements are in place”.
It informed ministers that distant driving in public must be allowed provided that corporations obtained particular permissions.
The evaluate additionally said {that a} distant driver must be answerable for their actions in the identical approach as somebody sitting behind the wheel of a automobile, however there must be no legal responsibility for faults past their management, similar to connectivity failures.
Nicholas Paines KC, the general public regulation commissioner, stated: “Distant driving is an thrilling know-how, however earlier than we see remotely operated vehicles on UK roads we should tackle security issues by means of robust regulation.
“Our recommendation concludes that within the speedy time period, the federal government would have the ability to tackle some gaps within the regulation round distant driving utilizing current powers, whereas additionally offering a path for corporations to make use of the know-how lawfully supplied that their methods are secure.
“In the long run, it might arrange a full system of distant driving regulation. Laws should reply to different basic issues round safety threats and legal responsibility within the occasion of an accident.
“Our recommendation paper units out a street map for a way the federal government can tackle these issues, while additionally encouraging corporations to innovate.”
The transport minister Jesse Norman stated: “Distant driving is already being efficiently used off-road in a number of industries and has enormous potential to supply new companies and security options for street autos.
“The federal government wants to make sure that security is on the forefront of using any new know-how, and the division will rigorously take into account the Regulation Fee’s suggestions.”
Final 12 months, the fee additionally really helpful that customers of self-driving vehicles ought to have immunity from a variety of motoring offences, together with harmful driving, rushing and leaping crimson lights.