Self-driving car owners will NOT face crash blame for accidents, experts say

The end of the speeding ticket? Motorists in self-driving cars should NOT be criminally liable if they break the limit or crash (but will need to stay sober), Government legal experts say

Government law experts made the legislative proposals in a new report
They set out a framework for a complex shift in legal responsibilities when self-driving vehicles take to the streets – expected within a couple of years
Under the proposals, the person in the driving seat would be known as a ‘user-in-charge’ and would not be held accountable for mistakes by the car like speeding

By David Barrett Home Affairs Correspondent For The Daily Mail

Published: 19:21 EST, 17 December 2020 Updated: 22:03 EST, 17 December 2020

Drivers will be renamed ‘users-in-charge’ when automated vehicles hit UK roads and will not be criminally liable if there is a crash, Government law experts have proposed.

They have set out a framework for a complex shift in legal responsibilities when self-driving vehicles take to the streets – expected within a couple of years.

The cars would be programmed to make journeys with passengers on board – who may intervene in an emergency. A Law Commission report suggested the switch could mean the end of the speeding ticket because ‘users-in-charge’ will no longer be held accountable for mistakes made by their car.

However, the person responsible for the vehicle will still have to stay under the drink-drive limit in case they have to take over the wheel.

Drivers will be renamed ‘users-in-charge’ when automated vehicles hit UK roads and will not be criminally liable if there is a crash, Government law experts have proposed. They have set out a framework for a complex shift in legal responsibilities when self-driving vehicles take to the streets – expected within a couple of years. Pictured: A BMW with self-drive technology hits the road

The report said responsibility for what are currently treated as motoring offences – even fatal accidents – should transfer from the driver to the manufacturer of the vehicle or its software.

The changes will open the way for ‘users-in-charge’ to watch films or read during a journey – and even for the traditional driver’s seat to be phased out of future car designs.

The report said: ‘Under our proposals, if a vehicle is classified as self-driving and the ADS [automated driving system] is engaged, the person in the driving seat becomes a ‘user-in-charge’ rather than a driver.

‘This means that… the user-in-charge could lawfully undertake activities which drivers of conventional vehicles are not allowed to do as it would distract them from driving. Examples are watching a movie or reading emails. If there is a collision caused by a vehicle driving itself…the user-in-charge could not be prosecuted for offences such as careless or dangerous driving. The user-in-charge could not be prosecuted for a wide range of other offences, such as exceeding the speed limit.’

It raises the…