FIA Global Advocacy Director Stefano Ammirati said: 

“Last week, the UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) adopted two United Nations regulations on Automated Driving Systems (ADS), creating a harmonised international regulatory framework.  

This is an important step in ensuring the introduction of automated driving systems is underpinned by internationally recognised safety standards.  

While these international regulations can deliver real benefits, they should be considered as the beginning of an evolving regulatory framework rather than the definitive validation of this technology. Continued refinement will be necessary as Automated Driving Systems mature and are introduced on public roads. The true test of these systems will come from operational experience. Their real-world performance and safety outcomes should therefore be closely monitored once deployed, and regulatory frameworks should evolve as evidence accumulates. 

As the presence of automated vehicles becomes increasingly common on the road, it’s also important to consider how they will interact with conventional vehicles in a way that continues to keep road users safe on every journey. 

Focused on technological innovation, the regulations require the provision of clear guidance to help users understand how ADS works, its limitations and operation, as well as safety precautions. This is essential to keep all road users safe, as demonstrating that a vehicle can technically perform a driving task is not the same as ensuring an everyday driver will know how to operate that system safely in real-world conditions. The FIA and its Member Clubs will actively support this transition by educating drivers on the realities, limits, and new obligations associated with automated driving. 

Regulators must ensure that systems limitations, responsibility and liability remain clear. Responsibility should not be transferred to the user when an automated system is performing the driving task. The role of the ‘driver’ or ‘fallback user’ must be transparent and harmonised across regulatory frameworks, while the demands placed on users who are expected to supervise these systems should not be underestimated.  

More broadly, it is essential that drivers understand the distinction between systems that help them drive (ADAS) and systems that drive for them (ADS). As advanced hands-free technologies become more common, they can be mistaken for self-driving systems, even though the driver remains responsible. This confusion can lead drivers either to distrust and disable these systems, missing their safety benefits, or to over-trust them and pay less attention to the vehicle, the system, and surrounding traffic conditions. We will continue working with all stakeholders to ensure this transition towards automated mobility delivers its promised benefits while maintaining the highest safety standards for all road users.”