China’s Revised Traffic Safety Law Assigns Liability to Carmakers for Autonomous Driving

Beijing is preparing to hold automakers liable for traffic infractions committed while autonomous driving systems are engaged, a move that could help clear regulatory obstacles to broader market adoption.

China’s top legislative body, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, will review an amended Road Traffic Safety Law on Tuesday. The revised law is expected to feature a dedicated chapter governing autonomous vehicles and advanced driver‑assistance systems, Xinhua reported.

The amendments aim to clarify definitions of autonomous vehicles and driver‑assistance functions, Xinhua said, though it did not specify when the final version of the law will be enacted.

If a self‑driving system is turned off mid‑journey, existing traffic regulations will still apply, Xinhua noted. Analysts added that manufacturers could be held responsible for accidents and infractions when the system is active in a vehicle officially classified as autonomous.

Automotive firms will be required to assume responsibility for their vehicles’ road operations, and thus will be permitted to develop and market autonomous models to consumers, according to Shanghai‑based independent analyst Gao Shen.

Once the amended law takes effect, dozens of new autonomous vehicle models are expected to appear on the streets.

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