Technology to enable self-driving cars is developing rapidly, with the US company Waymo already operating self-driving taxis in San Francisco and Phoenix. However in the UK, under existing legislation, it is illegal for a car to operate without a driver.
Liaising with developers and car companies, Anthony Browne legislated the Automated Vehicle Act, which creates the legislative and regulatory framework to enable self-driving cars. The biggest risk to a successful roll out of self-driving cars would be a backlash if there were concerns that it was dangerous, which could lead to a media storm in the event of a fatality. Particular attention was paid to road safety, and the overall requirement made through the Statement of Safety Principles that a self-driving car must be safer than a car driven by a human. This was followed by a series of consultations to ensure appropriate technical rules and guidance.
The legislation was negotiated with a range of road safety groups and disability campaigners, to ensure that it had their broad support.