Key Facts

• Amendment 9 would ensure that 'relevant enactment' cannot apply to Acts or instruments made under Act of the Scottish Parliament or Senedd Cymru.
• Amendments 7 and 8 would require consent from devolved Governments before exercising Clause 50 power in relation to devolved legislation, and extend this power to Ministers of devolved Administrations respectively.
• The UK Government's delegated powers memorandum states that the affirmative procedure will ensure scrutiny by Parliament and devolved bodies.
• Clause 50 allows adjustments based on real-world experiences from self-driving technology deployments.
• The clause is limited to user-in-charge responsibilities and does not alter general traffic legislation.
• The Scottish Law Commission and the Law Commission of England and Wales recommended consistent rules for user-in-charge immunity across Great Britain.
• Disabled people currently take 38% fewer journeys than non-disabled people.
• The amendment would add a specific obligation for inspectors to assess the accessibility of automated vehicles when investigating incidents.
• Clause 62 allows inspectors discretion to investigate incidents not specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.
• Clause 60 introduces the concept of investigation by statutory inspectors for incidents involving authorised automated vehicles.
• Clause 61 defines the role of inspectors as identifying, understanding, and reducing risks of harm from self-driving vehicle use in Great Britain.
• Inspectors will conduct safety investigations similar to those in air and maritime sectors but do not assign blame or liability.
• Clause 82 of the Automated Vehicles Bill is being discussed.
• Existing permit systems allow mandates for accessible information provision.
• An advisory council involving disabled and accessibility groups is committed to being established.
• New clause 2 aims to bring AVs used as public transport into line with section 17 of the Bus Services Act 2017.
• The requirement for consultations includes Welsh and Scottish Ministers to increase transparency of regulations.
• There is a current 38% accessibility transport gap for disabled people in the UK.
• Amendments extend powers in clause 93 to Welsh Ministers.
• Clause 93 allows the Secretary of State to digitise traffic regulation orders for an area in England.
• Consultation with Welsh Government confirmed their desire for similar powers.
• The Advisory Council must be established within six months of passing the Act.
• Representatives include consumer groups, driver organizations, road safety experts, relevant businesses, trade unions, police, highway authorities, disability groups, and pedestrian/cyclist representatives.
• Reports to Parliament on advice provided and related matters are required.
• The new clauses aim to maintain a broad principle by including various organisations in the advisory council.
• New clause 1 includes references to devolved institutions, while new clause 3 does not.
• Automated vehicles could transform industries such as logistics, haulage, personal transport, and public transport.
• New clause 3 calls for the establishment of an advisory council.
• Nine sub-groups are listed to be included in consultations: consumer groups, drivers' organizations, road safety experts, businesses, insurance providers, trade unions, police, highway authorities, disability groups, and other road users.
• The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders estimates that the creation of 342,000 jobs could result from this legislation.
• The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles has an expert advisory panel.
• There is a commitment to consult road users, road safety groups, and industry on the statement of safety principles.
• A statutory consultation body, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, will be involved in accessibility consultations.
• New clause 5 addresses the need for people to prove an automated vehicle was “driving itself” before making a legal claim under section 2 of the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018.
• The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has raised concerns about circumstances where victims may be unaware or unable to prove that an automated feature was engaged when the incident occurred.
• Lord Liddle in the Lords pointed out that the Department does not have a clear stance on how long it takes for a driver to take back control in an UIC vehicle.
• The Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 established strict liability for accidents involving self-driving mode.
• Victims claim insurance normally without needing to prove the vehicle was in self-driving mode.
• Insurers determine if the vehicle was in self-driving mode or not.
• Negotiations are ongoing with the Motor Insurers' Bureau regarding uninsured drivers and automated vehicles.
• The Automated Vehicles Bill has completed its Committee stage.
• George Howarth briefly served as Chair during this session.
• Various organisations including Cycling UK, Shoosmiths LLP, Starship Technologies, Waymo, and techUK were mentioned.