Hands-free driving on motorways could happen within months under Government plans for ‘lane-keeping’ technology

HANDS-FREE driving could become a reality on British motorways within months under new government plans.

Proposals published today by the Department for Transport would see "lane-keeping" technology that allows motorists to take their hands off the wheel legalised for the first time.

The changes could come in to force as early as spring next year.

The new regulations would initially only affect driving on motorways, where there is little chance of injury to pedestrians or cyclists in the event of an accident.

In contrast to smaller roads like dual carriageways, motorways also have a barrier to prevent collisions between cars moving in opposite directions.

Current law states that a motorist must be in control of a vehicle at all times, meaning driverless cars or hands-free driving cannot yet be used.

Many cars sold are already equipped with driving-assist systems which, for example, alert a driver when a car moves out of its lane, but drivers still have full responsibility for any accidents.

A number of manufacturers continue to develop the technology, and fully-autonomous cars are expected to become common in the coming years.

A document released by the Department for Transport today included a call for evidence that would support a loosening of current regulations.

The plans could see the legalisation of Automated Lane Keeping System (ALKS), onboard technology that takes full control of the steering of a car and keeps it inside its lane.

The technology could be legalised at speeds of up to 70mph, the national limit on motorways.

Cars fitted with it could also be classified as "automated vehicles", meaning responsibility for the safety of the car as well as any accidents would shift from the driver to the manufacturer once the relevant systems have been switched on.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe approved the lane-keeping technology for legal use on roads in June.

A full UK government consultation on the plans is due to get underway at the end of this year.

Transport minister Rachel Maclean said: “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.”

Estimates suggest that automated driving technology could prevent 47,000 serious accidents and save as many as 3,900 lives over the next ten years.