Autonomous driving regulations face scrutiny in Rome and China

The integration of autonomous vehicles is driving new regulatory discussions regarding urban management and legal liability. In Rome, the complex street layout—characterized by narrow alleys, cobblestones, and high pedestrian density—presents significant challenges for AI algorithms. To prevent traffic congestion and safety risks in the city center, experts suggest implementing strict protocols, including mandatory geofencing, reduced speed limits, and the establishment of controlled testing corridors. There is also a call for clear responsibility frameworks, requiring companies to provide safety drivers or remote control capabilities and accessible data logs for accident investigations.

In China, a draft revision of traffic safety laws proposes a major shift in legal accountability. The proposal suggests that vehicle manufacturers should be held responsible for traffic violations committed while a vehicle is in fully autonomous mode. This distinguishes fully autonomous systems from current Level 2 driver-assistance systems, for which the human driver remains legally responsible. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Level 2 assistance systems are currently present in over 70% of passenger vehicles sold in China.