Self-Driving Cars to Be Rolled Out as Soon as 2026: Ministers

British drivers could be sharing the road with self-driving cars as soon as 2026, amid an ongoing debate on the safety of the new technology. The Department for Transport (DfT) made the announcement after the Automated Vehicles Act received Royal Assent on Monday. Under the legislation, self-driving vehicles can be rolled out on British roads in 2026, provided that driverless cars achieve a level of safety at least as high as careful and competent human drivers. Transport Secretary Mark Harper called it a “milestone moment” for the UK’s self-driving car industry, with the potential “to change the way we travel forever.” “While this doesn’t take away people’s ability to choose to drive themselves, our landmark legislation means self-driving vehicles can be rolled out on British roads as soon as 2026, in a real boost to both safety and our economy,” said Mr. Harper in a statement....