UK Government ministers have approved hands-free driving on UK motorways. Ford has become the first vehicle manufacturer to have Level 2 assisted driving technology approved after the British Government cleared its BlueCruise technology for use on a network of motorways across the UK.

BlueCruise becomes the first hands-free driving system approved for use in the UK. The approval will allow drivers to take their hands off the road and drive at speeds up to the national motorway limit of 70 mph.

Ford’s BlueCruise is a Level 2 driver assistance system, with partial automation. BlueCruise has been available in the United States and Canada since 2021. The UK and other European countries have tended to be more cautious than North America in approving use of assisted and self driving driving technologies outside specific geo-fenced areas.

The approval allows drivers to use “hands-off, eyes-on” technology on a number of motorways, designated as “blue zones”, connecting most of the country’s major cities. The technology has not been cleared for every motorway in the country however.

BlueCruise can control steering, acceleration and braking. A camera monitors the driver’s eyes to ensure they stay alert.

The technology maintains a safe distance from other cars. It can also bring the car to a stop in traffic jams.

While drivers can take their hands off the wheel, their eyes must remain focused on the road ahead at all times. Drivers are not allowed to use their mobiles, do anything that distracts their attention from the road, such as reading or watching a video, or fall asleep.

The BlueCruise technology will be available first in 2023 models of Ford’s Mach-E SUV.

Ford UK CEO Lisa Brankin told BBC Radio 4 that the car will only take over when “the system feels it’s safe”.

“If your eyes are closed, the car will prompt you to put hands onto the steering wheel and take control. It will keep prompting the driver and if they don’t respond, the car will steadily slow down to a stop,” Ms Brankin said.