Self-driving cars: manufacturer's liability in case of accident

A new law could soon be adopted in the United Kingdom. It defines the responsibility of the manufacturer of autonomous cars in case of accident or non-compliance with the Highway Code.

The drafting of this law will not be easy. First of all, it is necessary to distinguish and classify the degree of assistance provided by the vehicles (driving assistance, cruise control, autonomous driving, etc.). This work will make it possible to determine the degree of responsibility of the driver and the manufacturer when using the vehicle. Thus, car manufacturers will be required to approve the various autonomous driving systems or driving aids installed on their vehicles.

Another important point is that the responsible driver status will have to change. It will be replaced by that of the responsible user. The latter will not be held accountable if autonomous driving is activated. Nevertheless, they will be liable for the correct application of safety rules (wearing a seatbelt, using a child seat, etc.) and for underwriting an insurance policy.