Motoring leaders claim that Britain has fallen behind the EU in driverless cars

UK start-ups have launched their technology overseas despite the regulatory uncertainty

Industry chiefs warn that Britain is falling behind Europe in the development of driverless cars, as slow regulation forces new start-ups and their technology to move abroad.

Mike Hawes is the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. He urged the MPs on Thursday to pass laws that would allow fully autonomous vehicles to be driven on the roads.

Some US states allow vehicles to be driven without a driver, provided they meet certain standards in terms of software and technical requirements. France and Germany, among other EU countries, allow similar vehicles to be driven on roads with mixed traffic.

Only tests on British roads are allowed. A safety driver must be present at all times, prepared to take over if needed.

Mr Hawes said that if urgent changes are not made before the next elections, Britain risks getting “stuck on the slow lane”. He also noted that some British companies have already deployed their software overseas due to the lack of clarity in the law.

The company Oxa from Oxford, UK, has started operating driverless shuttle buses in Jacksonville (USA).

In November 2018, the Automated Vehicles Bill, which was first proposed in 2018, was included in the King’s Speech. The bill is currently being debated in Parliament.

The bill allows autonomous vehicles to be driven on British roads without safety drivers at the front. This could lead to the introduction of driverless taxis or grocery deliveries.

Speaking to the car industry executives gathered at the SMMT Connected Conference in London, Mr Hawes stated that if the promised legislation was not passed this year, it could push back the 2030 deadline.

He said that “already, self driving tech developed by British companies is being deployed in other parts of the world.”

“It can’t happen yet, which puts our market at a competitive disadvantage.

“Let’s make sure we have the correct regulation, the right business environment, and an open attitude towards consumers so that they become a reality in the UK and not in some foreign country.”

California has been a controversial state for driverless cars. The state allows fully automated vehicles without a safety driver. Cruise, which is backed by General Motors , suspended all testing following multiple accidents and traffic congestions that involved its cars. Tesla’s self-driving technology is also being investigated by the US.

Waymo, a company that is also testing driverless vehicles in the state, claims that statistics show the cars are safer on average than drivers.

Mark Harper, Transport Secretary, stated that he expects the growth of autonomous vehicles will lead to fewer accidents on the road and improved mobility for people who are elderly, disabled, or live in rural areas without public transportation.

He also acknowledged that there were concerns with the technology. Mr Harper stated: “People are curious about how the technology works, who is responsible in case something goes wrong and how safe it is.”

According to the proposed bill users of self-driving cars won’t be prosecuted in case their vehicle causes fatal crashes, but manufacturers will face any legal or criminal implications.

Mr Harper stated: “Only cars that meet strict technical standards will receive a license to operate on our roads.”

“These vehicles will be as secure as a human driver who is competent and cautious – possibly safer than many people who drive.”

He added that 88pc were the result of human error. “Self-driving vehicles could make a big difference.”

They don’t speed or get frustrated. They don’t break the law.

“Driver errors… can be reduced and made a thing of history.”