Every day we move closer and closer to a world in which the roads are populated by self-driving cars. Millions of people with their hands off the wheels and their feet off the pedals. This begs the question: If they aren't driving, what exactly can drivers get up to while on their journeys?
The U.K. is planning for that future by making changes to their Highway Code to allow those riding in autonomous vehicles a bit of freedom.
As of now, there are no cars approved for self-driving on U.K. roads, but the Department for Transport is preparing for the day that happens by creating some rules ahead of time.
In the updated Highway Code, they describe self-driving vehicles as "capable of safely driving themselves when the self-driving function is correctly turned on and the driver follows the manufacturer’s instructions."
They bring up a key point after this: "While the vehicle is driving itself, you do not need to monitor it."
"While a self-driving vehicle is driving itself in a valid situation, you are not responsible for how it drives. You may turn your attention away from the road and you may also view content through the vehicle’s built-in infotainment apparatus, if available," they write.
Drivers will only be allowed to use the vehicle's built-in entertainment units to watch TV or whatever else they so choose, no use of external devices such as cellphones or tablets.
They also say that the driver must be ready to take control of the vehicle at a moment's notice, meaning they must be fit to drive and still be paying attention to the road.
Transport minister Trudy Harrison called this Highway Code update a "major milestone in our safe introduction of self-driving vehicles." She vouches for self-driving cars making transport greener and safer, and said the government is "ensuring we have strong foundations in place for drivers when it takes to our roads."
h/t: LADBible
