EU mandates driver monitoring in all new cars

From now on, all newly registered vehicles in the EU need to be equipped with a system that continuously monitors the driver. Since July 7, 2026, the so-called Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) system has been mandatory for all new passenger cars and vans.

The system typically uses infrared cameras to monitor the driver’s eye movements, gaze direction, head position, and attention. If the system detects a potential distraction, the vehicle warns the driver with visual, audible, or haptic signals.

The EU emphasizes that no videos will be stored, no facial recognition will be used, and no data will be transferred to third parties. These requirements are part of the system’s technical specifications.

Critics nevertheless see this as a far-reaching step: once the necessary camera hardware is installed in millions of vehicles, future functions could theoretically be retrofitted via software – for example, in response to new legal requirements.

yogaesoteric
July 20, 2026