Autonomous driving will experience a new stage in Europe this summer. From July 14, an amendment will open the possibility of driving without hands, under certain conditions.
July 14, 2022: this is the theoretical date from which owners of certain car models will be able to let themselves be driven, without putting their hands on the steering wheel. A new level has been reached, but the conditions for applying the measure remain strict.
Autonomous driving: the five levels
As a reminder, autonomous driving is defined in five different levels: this goes from the first level, with adaptive cruise control, where the driver only controls the steering wheel, to the fifth where the car is completely autonomous, without requiring human intervention. Currently, in France, only level two is allowed on the roads. Concretely, the motorist can let himself be driven, but must keep his hands on the steering wheel.
As reported TheArguson January 14, 53 countries made changes to the text of the Vienna Convention on road traffic of 1968. Without going into details, an amendment to article 34 and the addition of a new article now authorize level three autonomous driving starting July 14, 2022.
Level three: one step closer to the driverless car
Level three defined by the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) specifies that “the driver does not drive when these automated driving systems are engaged — even if the driver is seated in the driver’s seat”. Likewise, the driver must take over the controls when the system asks him to. The automatic system can be set up subject to “limited conditions” and will only work “if all the required conditions are met”. This new regulation, ratified by several EU members, will have to be adapted nationally.
However, can the hands-free autopilot be engaged everywhere? This technology is initially intended for use in motorway traffic jams. In a June 2020 press release, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe specifies the conditions for the current activation of this system. The roads concerned must be closed to pedestrians and cyclists. The pavement must be “equipped with a physical separation that divides the traffic”. Speed “operational” must not exceed 60 km/h. This last limit could be subject to change.
In Europe, Tesla, Volkswagen, Mercedes and other manufacturers offer ranges of cars equipped with autopilot technology. The drivers of the latter will therefore be able to experience this new stage from July 2022. An adaptation of the rules at the French level is however possible.