Hands-free autonomous cars could be on UK roads in 2026

Transport secretary says driverless vehicle options will roll out gradually

Mark Harper

Mark Harper

Autonomous vehicles could be seen on some UK roads by the end of 2026, transport secretary Mark Harper has said.

Harper told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he expected to see the owners of driverless cars would be able to travel without having to watch where they are going.

He said he had seen the technology being used in California.

The transport secretary said people would need to have confidence that a proper safety regime was in place. He said: “The legislation is going...