EU Mandates Driver Distraction Warning Systems in All New Cars from 2026

The European Union implemented a revised General Safety Regulation on July 8, 2024, mandating that all new passenger cars, trucks, and buses sold in the EU market must be equipped as standard with an Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) system starting from July 7, 2026. This system relies on camera-based Driver Monitoring System (DMS) technology, using infrared cameras to monitor the driver’s eye movements, gaze direction, and head position. If the driver’s eyes remain off the road ahead for more than 3.5 seconds, the vehicle will trigger audible and visual alerts. This mandatory requirement stems from Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 adopted by the EU in 2019, with specific technical standards defined in EU Regulation 2023/2590 issued in 2023. As of July 6, 2024, all newly type-approved vehicles must comply with this standard; from July 7, 2026 onward, all newly produced vehicles sold in the EU must be fitted with the ADDW system—otherwise, they will not receive type approval or be eligible for registration. The EU estimates that by 2038, safety systems including ADDW could prevent over 25,000 fatalities and 140,000 serious injuries. Currently, regions such as the United Kingdom and Australia are also advancing similar legislation, driving driver monitoring technology toward becoming a standard safety feature in new vehicles worldwide.