All newly registered passenger cars and vans in the European Union must now be equipped with driver-facing monitoring systems designed to detect distraction and fatigue. The requirement took effect on July 7 as part of the EU’s General Safety Regulation, expanding a rule that has applied to newly approved vehicle models since 2024.
The systems, known as Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW), use an infrared camera or equivalent sensors to monitor the driver’s attention. If the system determines that the driver is looking away from the road for too long or shows signs of fatigue, it issues visual or audible warnings intended to reduce the risk of accidents.
The European Commission says the requirement is part of its broader Vision Zero strategy, which aims to eliminate road deaths by 2050. Alongside driver monitoring, all newly registered vehicles must also include enhanced emergency braking systems, improved pedestrian protection measures, updated tire performance standards, and better forward visibility.
The introduction of mandatory in-car cameras has sparked criticism from privacy advocates and some motorists, who argue that continuous driver monitoring could create new surveillance risks. Concerns have also been raised over whether vehicle manufacturers could eventually collect or monetize information generated by these systems.
EU regulators maintain that the technology is designed with privacy protections in mind. According to the Commission, the monitoring systems operate on a closed-loop basis, meaning the analysis is performed inside the vehicle and the data is not intended to be stored or transmitted outside the car as part of normal operation.
Some critics remain unconvinced, arguing that future software updates or connected vehicle services could expand how the technology is used. Others question whether camera-based monitoring can reliably distinguish between dangerous distraction and normal driving behavior, such as briefly checking mirrors, dashboard controls, or passengers.
The European Commission says automakers have had several years to prepare for the new requirements through a phased rollout of the General Safety Regulation. From now on, manufacturers cannot register new passenger cars or vans in the EU unless they comply with the updated safety standards, including the mandatory driver monitoring system.