The Ministry of Transport has completed the draft legislation governing highly automated vehicles, commonly referred to as VATS, following a period of public consultation. The document assigns primary liability for damages arising from unmanned vehicle incidents to the vehicle owner, with the owner responsible for compensation in most scenarios. This shift in accountability is noted by media coverage from Kommersant.
Key provisions of the bill restrict the recording of accident data by vehicle event recorders unless a traffic police officer is involved in the incident. It also grants insurance providers the right to access data stored in vehicle data recorders as part of the claim process. This data access is intended to support accurate damage assessment and the determination of fault.
The proposed legislation imposes a prohibition on Vat operation on roadways designated for transporting dangerous goods. Vehicles may be permitted to operate only on routes that are paired with a digital twin, a live, dynamic road map that conveys current road conditions and real-time weather information.
When harm occurs to health, property, or the environment, the primary responsibility falls on the VAT owner, unless it can be shown that the accident was caused by a design defect, force majeure, or the direct action of the victim. If the fault lies with the VAT owner, the liability for damages may, in certain circumstances, be shifted to the dispatcher or dealer involved in the vehicle’s operation.
The document also touches on market dynamics, noting the status of new car registrations in Russia prior to January 2024 and reflecting on the broader transition toward automated transportation within the country. Observers emphasize that the framework aims to balance accountability, consumer protection, and operational safety while accommodating innovations in vehicle autonomy and data-driven claims handling.
As summed up by official sources, the bill envisions a path to safer autonomous mobility by clarifying who bears responsibility after an incident, establishing rules for data access in insurance claims, and linking vehicle operation to verifiable road intelligence through digital twins. The framework acknowledges that technological progress will require adaptable governance that can respond to emerging safety challenges, insurance needs, and the practical realities of using unmanned vehicles on public roads.
In essence, the proposed law seeks to create a transparent, enforceable regime around highly automated driving. It centers on the owner’s duties, sets boundaries for data use, and relies on digital road infrastructure to support safer operation. Stakeholders—from vehicle manufacturers to insurers and road authorities—are anticipated to engage within this structure as the technology moves from pilot programs to wider deployment.
For readers following policy developments, the ongoing discussions highlight a broader trend toward clearer allocation of liability in autonomous mobility, improved access to diagnostic information for claims resolution, and explicit safety prerequisites linked to road design and information systems. These elements collectively shape a pragmatic, risk-aware environment for the rollout of highly automated vehicles in the regulatory landscape.