Britain will allow drivers of self-driving cars to watch TV

UK motorists who own self-driving cars may be able to watch TV while on the roads under proposed changes to the motorway law for now.

The UK Department for Transport defines a self-driving car as "capable of driving itself safely when the autonomous driving function is properly operated and the driver follows the manufacturer's instructions".

According to this amendment, self-driving cars are different from cars that have the ability to enable cruise control or lane-keep technology, and an update to the Highway Code states that "while the vehicle is driving itself, it does not need to be monitored."

According to the Indy 100 website.

In another paragraph, the law adds that "you can divert your attention away from the road and can also view content through the vehicle's in-vehicle infotainment device, if available."

Under the changes, people inside a self-driving car will be able to view content, but the warning against the illegal use of phones or mobile devices while driving remains in place.

Since the cars may need to return manual control to the driver, this means that drivers will be required to be in proper driving condition and to refrain from any illegal activity, including the use of a hand-held phone.

This update to the Highway Act is a "key milestone in our safe introduction of self-driving vehicles," said Trudy Harrison, the government's transportation secretary.

The current law is being updated and although there are currently no self-driving cars that can legally run on UK roads, the Department for Transport acknowledges it needs to look to the future and set rules when that happens, not if it does.

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