After manufacture
The New Vehicle General Safety Regulation.
Understanding Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW) and Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) systems.
In July 2022, the New Vehicle General Safety Regulation (GSR) was introduced to reduce the number of road fatalities and enable the safe introduction of autonomous vehicles in the European Union (EU).
The GSR mandates a range of safety measures to assist drivers and help better protect passengers, pedestrians and cyclists across the EU; expected to save over 25,000 lives and prevent at least 140,000 serious injuries by 20381.
This includes requirements for all new vehicles to include Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW) and Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) systems.
At a glance
Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW) systems
DDAW systems detect early signs of driver fatigue and provide timely warnings to encourage corrective action.
DDAW systems can use various detection technologies including camera-based Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS), steering input analysis, and physiological sensors, to continuously monitor a driver’s level of drowsiness. The system is required to issue non-intrusive visual, audible, or haptic alerts when the driver reaches a drowsiness threshold based on scientific sleepiness measures.
DDAW systems must function under all lighting and weather conditions, comply with strict data privacy laws, and be automatically activated within set speed thresholds.
Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) systems
ADDW systems use camera-based technology to monitor a driver's focus and provide immediate alerts when distraction is detected.
ADDW systems are required to continuously track a driver’s gaze across three key areas – forward view, peripheral areas, and downward areas like the dashboard – and issue real-time alerts to redirect attention to the road when necessary. Based on vehicle speed and distraction duration, these alerts must include a visual warning, plus an acoustic and/or haptic warning.
ADDW systems are required to meet a range of operating conditions, performance criteria and data privacy specifications.
Key dates
July 2022
Regulation mandates motor vehicles of categories M and N to be equipped with DDAW systems from 6 July 2022 for new vehicle types.
July 2024
Regulation mandates motor vehicles of categories M and N to be equipped with DDAW systems for all new vehicle registrations, and with ADDW systems for all new vehicle types from 7 July 2024.
July 2026
Regulation mandates motor vehicles of categories M and N to be equipped with an ADDW system from 7 July 2026 for all new vehicle registrations.
What is the difference between “new vehicle types” and “newly registered vehicles”?
- “New vehicle type” refers to a new model or version of a vehicle that has been designed and approved for production.
- This includes significant changes or new designs that require a fresh approval process.
- For example, if a car manufacturer creates a new model with different features or specifications, it would be considered a new vehicle type.
- A “new vehicle” refers to an individual vehicle that is newly manufactured and registered for use.
- This can include vehicles of existing types that have already been approved.
Essentially, when the regulation mentions “all new vehicle types approved,” it means any new models or versions that get the green light for production. “All newly registered vehicles” means any individual vehicle that is newly added to the road, regardless of whether it’s a new model or an existing one.
A proven solution
Seeing Machines is an industry-leading provider of driver and operator monitoring systems worldwide. Now found in over 2.88 million passenger cars, this technology is trusted by some of the world’s leading automotive brands, including Ford, BMW, Mercedes Benz and General Motors.
Guardian, Seeing Machines’ solution for heavy-vehicle fleets is already utilised by over 1,100 commercial transport and logistics organisations globally. It uses world-class detection algorithms underpinned by decades of Human Factors research, and real-world driving data collected over billions of kilometres of travel.
Guardian meets the requirements for both DDAW and ADDW systems, helping manufacturers comply with the European Commission’s GSR.
Beyond GSR compliance
Once your vehicles are compliant with DDAW and ADDW regulations, Seeing Machines offers additional features and services to add value and increase driver safety.
Contact us to learn more about the full Guardian solution, including an exclusive human intervention offering scientifically proven to reduce fatigue-related driving events by more than 90%.
