UK to sweep away insurance rules to boost driverless cars

The UK government has launched a consultation on changes to insurance rules and motoring regulations as it pursues its plans to allow driverless cars to take to the streets by 2020.

The market for autonomous driving is worth €1bn worldwide, according to the British government, but needs to overcome legal obstacles including determining who would be responsible in the event of an accident.

Chancellor George Osborne announced plans in March to test vehicles on motorways and said the government would bring forward proposals to remove regulatory barriers to the technology.