Under the new legislation, manufacturers will assume liability for any incidents as long as the automated driving system is on. Photo: Shutterstock.

Under the new legislation, manufacturers will assume liability for any incidents as long as the automated driving system is on. Photo: Shutterstock.

Luxembourg’s transport ministry is preparing legislation on autonomous vehicles which could come into force after the expected signature of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic in March 2022.

German lawmakers have already approved a new law aiming to bring autonomous vehicles into regular operation in 2022. Signatories to the Vienna Conventions--including Luxembourg and Germany--will be able to incorporate the legislation into their domestic traffic regulations.

The transport ministry is currently carrying out a study in order to define how the implementation of such a bill can be carried out. “It is therefore currently not possible to give a specific date when these possible adjustments should take place,” the ministry told Delano.

In September 2018 the Luxembourg road regulations were adapted to prepare for automated driving. In line with those rules drivers are exempt from keeping at least one hand on the steering wheel while driving an automated vehicle.

A number of trials have been carried out since 2018 “including autonomous shuttles circulating in industrial or urban areas,” said the ministry. New projects are currently being discussed for 2022.

In an answer to a parliamentary question François Bausch (déi Gréng) confirmed that under the new legislation, manufacturers will assume liability for any incidents as long as the automated driving system is on. This mode would limit the vehicle to a maximum speed of 60km/h.