Every new car sold in the European Union must include a driver monitoring camera
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
New EU cars must include driver monitoring cameras starting July 7, 2026.
The EU's Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) system mandates a camera that tracks eye gaze, alerting drivers who look away from the road for over 3.5 seconds at highway speeds. The system cannot be permanently turned off. Early tests show warnings can be overly sensitive, firing during ordinary glances. Data privacy concerns include lack of independent audit mechanisms and vague regulations on data retention. Past incidents, such as GM sharing behavior data with LexisNexis and Tesla employees sharing camera footage, highlight risks. GDPR provides some protections, but ambiguity remains over what data is 'necessary'.
What commenters are saying
Commenters are split: some support the safety intent but criticize poor implementation and false alerts, citing personal experiences with lane keeping and distraction warnings. Others strongly oppose the surveillance and data monetization risks, with some calling the EU the 'surveillance capital.' US commenters emphasize a cultural difference in accepting such mandates. Slippery slope arguments and comparisons to past data abuse (GM, Tesla) dominate skepticism. A few note the US also passed a similar law in 2021.