Users of self-driving cars will not be considered responsible for crashes and will be allowed to use TVs - but not cell phones - while behind the wheel under new proposed changes to the UK's road laws.

Instead, insurance companies as opposed to individuals will be liable for claims if a self-driving vehicle crashes, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.

It added that the changes to The Highway Code will help ensure the first wave of technology will be used safely, "paving the way for safer, more efficient travel."

However, it stressed that the update will make it clear that motorists must be ready to take back control of vehicles when needed.

According to the government, the plans will allow drivers to watch videos on built-in display screens while the self-driving vehicle is in control. However, it will still be illegal to use cell phones, "given the greater risk they pose in distracting drivers as shown in research."

While there are no self-driving cars currently allowed on Britain's roads, the country's first such vehicles will be ready for use later this year. 

The technology's introduction is likely to begin with vehicles moving at slow speeds on motorways, such as in congested traffic.

However, the government says the vehicles will have to undergo "rigorous testing", and will only be approved after meeting "stringent standards".

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France became the first European country to adapt its road regulations for fully-automated vehicles last year in July, amending its laws to allow their testing on public French roads.  

In the same month Germany became the first country in the world to allow autonomous vehicles on public roads without needing a human backup safety driver behind the wheel.

But despite progress in vehicle automation, safety issues remain. The only other two countries in the world where self-driving cars are allowed on the road are Japan and the U.S. 

In the latter, self-driving vehicle tests have resulted in deaths, with Uber selling its autonomous vehicle wing following the death of a pedestrian.

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However, many senior European politicians are throwing their weight behind the move to autonomous vehicles, claiming that first, it is a safer option than human-controlled vehicles, and second, that it will be vital to the future economy. 

The UK, for example, says their development could create around 38,000 new, high-skilled jobs within Britain's industry, worth an estimated £41.7 billion ($54.4bn) by 2035. 

"This is a major milestone in our safe introduction of self-driving vehicles, which will revolutionize the way we travel, making our future journeys greener, safer and more reliable," transport minister Trudy Harrison said.

"This exciting technology is developing at pace right here in Great Britain and we're ensuring we have strong foundations in place for drivers when it takes to our roads."

Proponents are also promoting self-driving cars as a way to fight the climate crisis. 

Self-driving technology "could spark the beginning of the end of urban congestion," said Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the UK's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, saying that traffic lights and vehicles will be able to "speak to each other to keep traffic flowing, reducing emissions and improving air quality in our towns and cities."

The UK government expects to have a full regulatory framework in place to support the widespread deployment of the technology by 2025.