The government is taking a close look at Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS), a new bit of technology developed with the aim of making our roads safer. The Department for Transport (DfT) says that the system would enable vehicles to control themselves on motorways – cutting out the middle man – i.e. the driver.  

The system would enable vehicles to drive themselves without input from the driver at speeds of up to 70mph on UK roads. The technology would be able to take vehicles forward and stick to lane discipline, while not taking over decision making about destination using gps for example. The legal conundrum at the moment with this level 3 automation, is whether vehicles using it would be classed as automated. If this is the case, then the provider of the technology would be responsible for its safety and liable in the event of any accident which happened when the system was in use, instead of the driver.

“Automated technology could make driving safer, smoother, and easier for motorists and the UK should be the first country to see these benefits, attracting manufacturers to develop and test new technologies.”

“The UK’s work in this area is world-leading and the results from this call for evidence could be a significant step forward for this exciting technology.”

“Following the approval of ALKS Regulation in June 2020 by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) - of which the UK is a member – the technology is likely to be available in cars entering the UK market from spring 2021.”

Well this raises the perennial question in these times – will this innovation in fact make us safer or will it cause more problems than it solves and do we really want the brave new world which is coming towards us at a rate of knots. Do we have a choice, if so what would your choice be, use it or just carry on our merry way driving ourselves? How will this affect motorcyclists? Will motorcycles have to be on the ALKS too and how will bikes interface with AI driven cars? Hopefully they will be programmed to shift over a bit in the lane to let motorcycles pass :)

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14/09/20 - It's for GTA thicko's that cannot do reality!.....about sums it up

14/09/20 - Depends on what classes as new...all my bikes are close to 30 years old...I still call them new ish