{"id":3174,"date":"2020-08-25T14:57:03","date_gmt":"2020-08-25T13:57:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scrapcarnetwork.org\/news\/?p=3174"},"modified":"2025-02-26T18:14:14","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T18:14:14","slug":"hands-free-driving-could-be-legal-from-spring-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scrapcarnetwork.org\/news\/hands-free-driving-could-be-legal-from-spring-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Hands free driving could be legal from Spring 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

Texting while driving currently carries some stiff penalties, and rightly so, if you ask us. As things stand now, it\u2019s usually a pretty surefire way to scrap your car<\/a> in an accident. But things might well change in 2021. It all depends on the results of a new government consultation from the Department for Transport, which is beginning its review of how Automated Lane Keeping Systems might work on British roads. Here\u2019s what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t we already have lane keeping assistance?<\/h2>\n

Yes, but these new systems would take things one step further. There\u2019s a significant difference between current lane keeping assistance systems, and true hands-free driving. Existing lane keeping assistance technology warns drivers when they\u2019re drifting out of lane, and can sometimes provide a bit of help to nudge them back into a central position again.<\/p>\n

An Automated Lane Keeping System (ALKS), on the other hand, would actually control the car\u2019s movements on behalf of the driver and keep it in lane for extended periods. Basically to a large extent it would be self-driving, but the driver still to be ready to take back control at a moment\u2019s notice, just in case things start to go pear-shaped.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t hypothetical technology, in case you were wondering. ALK systems already exist, but what the government\u2019s trying to find out is whether they\u2019re truly ready to be rolled out to public highways.<\/p>\n

If so, then it would be big news; we\u2019d be officially moving to the next \u2018level\u2019 of self driving cars. There are five levels in total – we\u2019ll give you a quick breakdown.<\/p>\n

Level 0 – No Automation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Doesn\u2019t need a tonne of explanation, this one.<\/p>\n

Level 1 – Driver Assistance<\/strong><\/p>\n

This covers stuff like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assistance. If you\u2019ve bought your car within the last few years, it\u2019s almost certain to feature Level 1 autonomy.<\/p>\n

Level 2 – Partial Automation<\/strong><\/p>\n

This assists in controlling the speed and steering of a vehicle, and is capable of centring it in the lane. Legally, it does still require the driver\u2019s hands on the wheel though.<\/p>\n

Level 3 – Conditional Automation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Level 3 cars are basically capable of driving themselves, but only if certain requirements are met. For example they might only be permitted on access-divided highways, and with a strict upper speed limit. The driver\u2019s hands can be off the wheel, but they still need to be focused and aware of what\u2019s going on, ready to take over again.<\/p>\n

Level 4 – Full Automation<\/strong><\/p>\n

As above, but a fully automated car doesn\u2019t require any human intervention in most circumstances. They can operate in self-driving mode, and drivers can safely turn their attention away from the wheel for extended periods. (Feel free to open that page-turner, or even catch forty winks.) But at the moment these cars would only be able to operate within designated \u2018geofenced\u2019 areas.<\/p>\n

Level 5 – Full Automation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ultimate evolution of the self-driving car, otherwise known as \u2018steering wheel optional\u2019. This is where we get to true driverless cars, capable of navigating and adapting to all road conditions. They\u2019ll also be free of geofencing, able to go anywhere.<\/p>\n

\"Self-Driving-Car-Robot\"<\/p>\n

Now, Level 1 and Level 2 already exist, and ALKS would fall under the Level 3 classification. But introducing this to public highways at large would require changes to the current legal framework, and that\u2019s what DfT is considering doing. First though, they want input from the wider motoring industry. One specific question they\u2019re asking is whether or not ALKS cars should be classed as automated. That means the technology designer would be liable for safety while the system is engaged, rather than the driver.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s been the reaction?<\/h2>\n

To be honest, it\u2019s been mixed. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders think that the automated technology will be life-changing, and could prevent as many as 47,000 serious accidents in the next decade.<\/p>\n

Others aren\u2019t so sure. Already there are doubts about how drivers would realistically use the system. In some ways, it\u2019s a bit \u2018hurry up and wait\u2019. You don\u2019t need to fully focus your attention on the road, and you can send a quick text, or make some adjustments to your Sat-Nav system.<\/p>\n

But you can\u2019t be distracted for too long, so you can\u2019t really start doing anything else. Watching films, checking email, eating and reading are all out. That equates to an awful lot of time spent simply staring at the road ahead, minus the agency of actually controlling your progress along it. Right now, it\u2019s difficult to see how it\u2019s going to make long motorway journeys any less tedious!<\/p>\n

Then again, we\u2019re not experts in advanced car tech or legislation, so personally here at Scrap Car Network we\u2019ll be happy enough just to see how the consultation progresses, and what decisions are ultimately made. We\u2019ll tell you what we are experts in, though – and that\u2019s getting you the best price when you scrap your car with us. It only takes 10 seconds to find out how much your car is worth – just enter your car reg and postcode into the fields on our site, and we\u2019ll get you your very own instant scrap car quote!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Texting while driving currently carries some stiff penalties, and rightly so, if you ask us. As things stand now, it\u2019s usually a pretty surefire way to scrap your car in an accident. But things might well change in 2021. It all depends on the results of a new government consultation from the Department for Transport, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":2279,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n