Level 3 autonomous driving will be authorized from July 1, 2022 within the European Union. In France, this measure will come into force on September 1. Of course, owners of compatible vehicles will be able to opt for “hands-free” driving in very specific conditions.
Level 3 autonomous driving will soon be authorized and legal on French roads. This July 14, 2022, Article 34-Bis of the Vienna Convention on the circulation of vehicles within EU member states will be modified to authorize the use of level 3 autonomous driving. each country will have to legislate to confirm this on their national roads.
Indeed, the convention specifies that automated driving may leave the status of technologies “experimental or limited” provided that to be authorized by national laws. In France, this will be done from September 2022.
As a reminder, a decree published in the Official Journal in July 2021 dedicated to this measure will come into force from the start of the 2022 school year. It also provides for modifications to the Highway Code and the Transport Code. For now, only level 2 autonomous driving is authorized in France. It consists mainly of two functions: adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance.
Also read: Tesla – European legislation still restricts the capabilities of Autopilot
Hands-free driving authorized in France, under certain conditions
At this level, drivers are not allowed to remove their hands from the steering wheel, the technology used simply does not allow it. In contrast, level 3 offers partial autonomy since the user will be able to let go of the steering wheel. The system will be able to handle the majority of driving-related tasks, starting with apprehension of the immediate environment. However, it is necessary to stay on the lookout to regain control of the vehicle if necessary.
In France, the use of level 3 autonomous driving will be authorized under certain conditions. You can activate it:
- on paths without pedestrians or cyclists
- on roads with a central divider between the different traffic directions
- all at a speed not exceeding 60 km/h
Let us also specify that the driver will be able in France to clear his criminal liability in the event of an accident due to a failure of the autonomous driving system. Indeed, it is the manufacturer who will be held responsible. For now, vehicles that have received certification for level 3 autonomous driving are not jostling at the gate in Europe. Only the new Mercedes S-Classequipped with the Drive Pilot, currently claims it.
Source : Capital
