Self-driving cars could reach speeds of up to 130 km/h in the future – UN panel considers decision
Currently, there are strict regulations regarding maximum speed and operating conditions for autonomous vehicles. However, the situation is changing.
The UN Economic Commission for Europe's (UNECE) international expert panel on automated and connected driving has agreed to raise the maximum speed for autonomous vehicles – in certain traffic situations such as congestion or slow-moving traffic – from 60 to 130 kilometers per hour. The UNECE announced this on Thursday in Geneva. In addition to increasing the speed limit, lane changes will also be permitted in the future.
The proposed amendment still needs to be approved by the UNECE World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations. This forum meets from June 21st to 24th, and approval is considered a mere formality.
As recently reported , Mercedes-Benz is currently the only manufacturer with an autonomous vehicle on the German market. Therefore, the speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour still applies to Mercedes vehicles. Furthermore, the driver must be able to actively intervene in the steering at any time.
the first ordered vehicles with the so-called "Drive Pilot" system as early as this summer. Other manufacturers, such as Honda, are launching similar models in Japan and will thus shape the future of road design.
