China's Auto Authority Clarifies: Driver Assist ≠ Self-Driving

Drivers Remain Legally Responsible

Amidst surging excitement over next-generation "hands-free" systems promised for future electric vehicles, China's Ministry of Public Security delivered a crucial reality check. Public Security Bureau Traffic Management Director Wang Qiang stated unequivocally: "None of the intelligent driving ('Zhi Jia') systems installed in automobiles currently sold in China possess 'autonomous driving' functionality."

Defining the Limits: ADAS, Not Autonomy

Wang Qiang emphasized that today's technology remains firmly in the "assisted driving" realm. These systems act solely as aids, supporting the human driver in executing dynamic driving tasks. Crucially, the car always requires a human operator behind the wheel, and the driver remains the ultimate legal entity responsible for the vehicle's operation. This applies universally, whether you're driving a conventional automobile or the latest new energy car.

The Critical Risks of Misuse: Hands Off, Eyes Off = High Danger

The Director issued a stern warning against complacency. Treating these driver assistance features as full self-driving carries severe consequences. "If a driver takes their hands off the wheel ('tuo shou') and their eyes off the road ('tuo yan') – looking at their phone or even dozing off – they face not only grave traffic safety risks," Wang Qiang stressed, "but also triple legal jeopardy: civil liability, administrative penalties, and potential criminal prosecution should an accident occur." This warning holds true for every car on the road, including sophisticated battery cars.

Regulatory Roadmap: Stricter Oversight Coming

To address potential misuse and misleading marketing, Chinese authorities are preparing a multi-pronged approach:

1. Tighter Manufacturer Controls: Collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) will ensure automobile manufacturers rigorously test and validate ADAS capabilities, clearly define system limitations and safety protocols, and strictly comply with advertising laws to eliminate exaggerated claims about electric vehicle capabilities.

2. Legal Framework Evolution: Authorities will push to refine the Road Traffic Safety Law and its supporting regulations. This aims to legally define the "human-machine co-driving" nature of Level 0-2 systems. Concurrently, they will encourage new energy car producers to enhance ADAS reliability and establish robust safety standards.

3. Enhanced Driver Education: Exploring ways to integrate knowledge about autonomous driving levels and ADAS operational limits into driver training and testing is a priority. After all, the driver is always the primary safety officer in any car.

The Unchanging Imperative: Driver Responsibility

Wang Qiang concluded with a powerful, non-negotiable message: "The driver is always the first person responsible for driving safety." Authorities plan extensive public awareness campaigns to ensure drivers understand that current ADAS is not self-driving. Consumers must thoroughly comprehend their battery car's specific ADAS features, how to activate/deactivate them, and critically, respect the system's technical boundaries. Complacency – letting go of the wheel or looking away – invites disaster and legal repercussions, regardless of how advanced the automobile seems.