(Yicai) July 24 -- Car drivers in China remain the responsible party when their vehicles are running in so-called smart‑driving mode, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

All smart‑driving systems used in the country at the present time fall squarely within the assisted‑driving category and do not have true self‑driving capabilities, so drivers remain the ultimate responsible party, officials from the ministry said at a press conference yesterday.

Smart-driving systems are designed only to assist drivers, the officials said. Drivers who take their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road while their cars are in smart-driving mode face serious safety risks, which could result in civil liability, administrative penalties, or even criminal prosecution, they noted.

The smart-driving systems on the market are mostly Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems, as they have not yet reached the Level 3 autonomous driving status.

Industry insiders believe the sector is now at a critical stage when smart-driving systems are transitioning toward higher levels of intelligence, so vague function definitions and unclear divisions of responsibility can occasion potential safety risks.

Although smart‑driving systems have advanced rapidly, they are not flawless, an expert told Yicai, adding that some drivers have blindly relied on them because of marketing hype.

In this regard, the ministry said it will work with other government departments to toughen regulations and ensure automakers clearly define their driver assistance functions, clarify their limitations, specify the risks, and avoid exaggerations in their promotional materials.

The authorities will also refine China’s road traffic safety laws to include the specific responsibilities and liabilities of both smart-driving systems and drivers, draw up safety technical standards, and add them to the scope of driver‑licensing and testing procedures.

Moreover, the ministry also vowed to step up efforts to inform drivers about the limits of driver assistance systems and their personal responsibilities.

Editor: Futura Costaglione