The legal implications of the regulations of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) in the EU

Abstract

Our lives have become so dominated by technological advancements in recent years that sometimes we don't realize when such technology has become obsolete. As a result of the fast pace of technological advancement, rules and regulations are often left in the lurch. In today's transportation industry, we are experiencing similar changes to those our ancestors experienced a century ago when cars replaced horses. Our transport industry is being transformed in ways we can scarcely imagine through connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs). While technology is good, law makers are already facing a challenge with all this glitz. As a result of international conventions and EU regulations and directives, the transport sector is heavily regulated in the current legal framework. Despite the current legal framework being robust and well suited to the present scenario, the introduction of CAVs is proving that the current legislative framework is not adequate. Liability is one of the main concerns that are creating uncertainty for everyone. According to some policy experts within the European Union, the existing legislation is adequate to counteract the incidences associated with autonomous vehicles in the absence of any amendments to the international and EU regulations and directives. Based on their interpretation, the EU is in a position to adequately address all matters relating to legal liability under its existing legislation. However, this is not the opinion of everyone, and some legal experts advocate that the European Union should as soon as possible harmonize the sector on an EU level. The objective of the dissertation was to investigate fully the relevant aspects and current liability systems associated with autonomous vehicles. This warranted an analysis of the existing international and European legislative structure from the perspective of liability. In addition, CAVs do not constitute an exception to the rule, although, exceptionally complex in nature, CAVs involve all aspects of law, from civil to administrative to criminal. The void in the law is there and visible although the current legal framework can be interpreted by some as adequate.