In-Car Cameras Are Now Mandatory in Europe, and the US Will Soon Follow.

      The latest Mercedes CLA, as shown here, features a camera positioned just above its central infotainment display.

      Adam Ismail

      The most significant news and reviews about cars, no nonsense.

      Our free daily newsletter delivers the stories that truly matter directly to you every weekday.

      A set of regulations affecting new vehicles took effect in the European Union on Wednesday, and it may face some backlash. The union now requires every vehicle to have an interior-facing camera as part of an "advanced driver distraction warning (ADDW) system" that monitors driver distraction, drowsiness, or inattention, prompting them to maintain their focus.

      While attention-focused features are not new in vehicles, many provide periodic alerts suggesting breaks after long driving durations or even encourage stopping for coffee. However, there’s a notable distinction between a simple reminder from a basic timer and the comprehensive monitoring an ADDW system offers, which actively keeps track of driver alertness.

      While most reasonable individuals would appreciate having more attentive drivers on the road, concerns arise regarding what happens to recorded footage and whether car manufacturers will adequately safeguard it from malicious entities.

      Moreover, there is a genuine question of whether automakers can be trusted with such private information. In a thorough explanation on the issue, All About Cookies referred to a New York Times report revealing that car companies like General Motors and Honda have previously mishandled sensitive data, sharing “driving score” information with brokers, which, in some cases, sold that data to insurance firms leading to higher premiums for customers.

      Hyundai includes a drive-rating feature in its cars, sharing driving patterns with brokers like LexisNexis.

      Although the EU demands that ADDW systems operate within a “closed loop”—ensuring no data is sent to external servers and remains within the vehicle—there is a significant difference between imposing such requirements and effectively enforcing them through specific protocols. Even with a serious approach to privacy, this represents yet another instance of technological encroachment that is bound to increase vehicle prices, which are already escalating.

      In addition to the ADDW regulation, the EU is also mandating new vehicles to include advanced emergency braking systems that can recognize pedestrians and cyclists, increased safety glass areas to protect pedestrians during accidents, and new assessments for tire wear to ensure safe operation.

      In 2021, the U.S. Congress passed legislation that would require similar technologies, including in-car cameras, in new vehicles to reduce drunk and impaired driving. Following an extension, this technology is set to be installed in cars beginning next year.

      The challenge with that deadline is that the technology needed to passively detect signs of intoxication is not yet sufficiently developed. In April, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration determined that none of the existing solutions were ready for market introduction. Therefore, while Americans may be temporarily spared from required cabin surveillance, trends suggest it is only a matter of time before similar measures are adopted here as well.

      Have a tip? Contact tips@thedrive.com