Newly registered vehicles from July 2026 will include a built-in system to detect driver distraction and warn the driver.

The new technology, called Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW), is part of the European road-safety campaign to prevent accidents that could be avoided if drivers paid more attention to their surroundings.

The change is part of the EU Regulation 2019/2144, which aims to improve vehicle safety. Besides the ADDW, it will also include other mandatory safety tech features to detect tiredness, distractions and dangerous driving behaviour.

According to EuroWeeklyNews, the system was required for new vehicle models from July 2024; however, from July 2026, the rule will expand to all new vehicles registered in the EU. Nevertheless, the cars that have already been bought do not need to have the ADDW.

What is the ADDW?

The ADDW will use cameras and sensors to analyse eye movement, head position and even visual attention. When the system detects that the driver is distracted, an alert will be issued.

Depending on the car model, the alert may vary: it can be a dashboard notification, an audible alert, or even a vibration in the steering wheel or seat.