UK bill to set a precedent for autonomous car legislation

Earlier this month, Nissan quietly tested its new autonomous cars on public roads across London. The week-long trial, which went unnoticed by many, was the first time anywhere in Europe that the cars have been let loose on a dual carriageway - demonstrating, excitingly, that the technology is nearly ready.

But before self-driving cars become a reality on our roads, the right regulation needs to be in place – particularly around liability. Who’s to blame if a defective vehicle causes a crash, for example? And, more importantly, who should pay for it? All eyes will be on the UK as the Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill makes its way through Parliament, setting a precedent for autonomous car legislation across Europe.