Automated vehicles (AVs) are racing ahead – backed by record investment and major technological leaps. Just look at Wayve’s $1bn funding round and its generative AI model for predicting road behaviour.
The UK government isn’t standing still. In 2024, it passed the AV Act – laying the legal groundwork for AV deployment. The timeline is picking up speed, with on-road trials expected to begin in spring 2026.
To keep pace with innovation and ensure public trust, the Department for Transport issued a Call for Evidence (CfE) this summer. The aim? To gather insight on the safety principles that should underpin how AVs are developed, deployed, and monitored. Two big questions stood out:
- What is a ‘competent and careful’ human driver?
- How should this benchmark be applied – before AVs hit the road, and once they do?
At Zego, we’ve spent years answering exactly that.
Zego’s view
Defining ‘competent and careful’
Zego collects around four million miles of driving data every day. That means we can go beyond assumptions like age or experience, and pinpoint the behaviours that really matter for safety. We know the strongest predictors of risk: speeding, aggressive braking, distraction, and cornering instability. These insights allow us to set a realistic, data-led benchmark – and hold AVs to it.
In our view, it’s not enough for AVs to match the average human driver. They should exceed this bar, aiming to drive as well as the safest segment of professional drivers, without the risks that come with human error.
Pre-deployment: setting the bar
Safety starts before the first wheel turns. Manufacturers should demonstrate how their systems behave, update, and respond in the real world – backed by robust data. But crucially, AVs must be benchmarked against human drivers. That’s where we come in.
At Zego, we use telematics and claims data to quantify risk. From speeding and harsh braking to unsafe cornering, we capture the patterns that lead to accidents. Our data gives a precise picture of competent driving – and a fair, measurable benchmark for AV approval.
Post-deployment: monitoring what matters
The job doesn’t end once AVs are on the road. Continuous monitoring is essential – not just to ensure compliance, but to keep roads safe. We believe AV performance should be assessed in real time, using a connected data platform that links operators with regulators and insurers.
This approach flags risky behaviour early, speeds up incident investigation and liability decisions, and supports faster, fairer claims outcomes. It protects everyone involved – especially road users.
The road ahead
AVs represent a rare opportunity to transform our transport system – if we get it right. With careful regulation and smart use of data, they could reduce accidents and fatalities, ease pressure on emergency services and the NHS, lower emissions and congestion, and improve accessibility for every road user.
At Zego, we’re ready to help make this a reality. With deep expertise in AV insurance, telematics, and risk management, we’re committed to supporting government and industry – and helping AVs live up to their promise.
