Lords debates Automated Vehicles Bill at second reading

The Automated Vehicles Bill will implement the recommendations of the four-year review carried out by the Law Commissions of England & Wales and Scotland to set the legal framework for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles across Great Britain.

Debate on the draft law 

During second reading, members considered the main issues in the bill and brought attention to specific areas where they believed amendments (changes) may be needed. 

Subjects under discussion included:

• safety standards of self-driving vehicles
• cybersecurity of vehicles with automated systems
• accessibility.

Members speaking  

Lord Davies of Gower (Conservative), Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, opened the debate and responded on behalf of the government.

Members speaking included:

• Lord Berkeley (Labour), vice president of the Chartered Institute of Transport
• Lord Hampton (Crossbench), head of the design and technology department at Mossbourne Community Academy
• Lord Ranger of Northwood (Conservative), former director of transport policy in the Greater London Authority
• Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat), former shadow minister for transport in the Welsh government.

Get involved  

• Catch up debate on Parliament TV.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript .
• Find out more in the House of Lords Library Automated Vehicles Bill briefing. 

Next steps

Committee stage, the first chance to examine the bill line by line and make changes, is yet to be scheduled.

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