It matters not if car users love or loathe the UK Government, and approve or disapprove of what it now very thoroughly refers to as “self-driving” cars. What matters is that if our rulers get their way, human cargo will soon be carried in such vehicles
on public roads. When we will be asked or forced to travel aboard them is not yet known, but it’s clear the government is formally and aggressively promoting what it deliberately calls the “self-driving” cause.
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There are confident assurances that “the first types of self-driving cars could be on UK roads by the end of this year”. That’s probably an ambition too far, but maybe the government knows things we don’t. possibly it already has answers to the numerous legal, insurance, infrastructure, cost, safety and other questions recently raised about cars that are expected to drive themselves on congested streets.
Hands-free driving to be legal in the UK this year
What’s more, our leaders have the obvious backing of the UK’s motor industry. This implies an unlikely new partnership, with politicians on one side, car makers on t’other. The society of motor producers and Traders says the UK is already a world leader in “self-driving car innovation” and is thus singing from the same hymn sheet as the Government. Interesting. possibly game-changing.