Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW) systems are one of the advanced safety technologies that the European Commission is mandating as part of the new Vehicle General Safety Regulation (GSR).

In a bold stride toward enhancing road safety, the GSR was introduced in July 2022, with a straightforward yet vital goal: assist the driver and help better protect passengers, pedestrians and cyclists across the European Union (EU). Expected to save over 25,000 lives and avoid at least 140,000 serious injuries by 2038, the GSR will mandate a range of safety features over time.

DDAW systems are central to this initiative. Required for all road vehicles (i.e. cars, vans, trucks and buses), these systems are designed to reduce crashes caused by drowsy driving. This article addresses some common queries around the systems and requirements to meet the new regulation.

What are DDAW systems and when will they be required?

DDAW systems are designed to detect early signs of fatigue in drivers and provide timely warnings to help them take corrective action.

The GSR’s rollout follows a phased approach to ensure smooth adoption across the industry. Since July 2022, all new vehicle types approved within the EU have been required to include DDAW systems. This mandate will extend to all newly registered vehicles in July 2024.

What is the difference between “new vehicle types” and “newly registered vehicles”?

How do DDAW systems work?

DDAW systems are engineered to detect signs of drowsiness, providing immediate, non-intrusive warnings that ensure the driver remains alert and focused on the road. By making drivers aware of their increased risk, they can act before they tire further and potentially reach the stage of microsleep. This is particularly useful for heavy vehicle drivers, who are often exposed to long hours on the road, increasing the risk of fatigue-related incidents.

What are the technical requirements of DDAW systems?

A full list of technical requirements can be found on the European Commission’s website, but a few key aspects are outlined below.

• Detection

DDAW systems can utilise various technologies for detection, including cameras that track eye movements and head position (commonly known as a Driver Monitoring System or “DMS”), steering input and vehicle behaviour analysis, or even physiological sensors that monitor metrics like heart rate. However, the system must meet true positive targets set by the regulation to ensure effectiveness. For example, hands-on-wheel sensors are not always an accurate detection of driver attention.

Observing the driver’s head and eyes provides the most reliable information for detecting driver fatigue. This is a significant advantage of direct driver monitoring methods, such as camera-based systems, over indirect methods like sensors that detect steering input or monitor steering variation. The European Commission recommends a camera-based DMS because they are the most established and have the strongest evidence base, as highlighted in a study by Hynd et al. (2015)¹.

• Measurement

Regardless of the technology selected, the system must continuously monitor and effectively alert the driver when they reach (or prior to reaching) a dangerous level of drowsiness, known as the drowsiness threshold. This threshold must correlate with scientific measures of sleepiness, such as the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS).

• Alerts

In terms of warning the driver, these alerts can be visual, audible and/or haptic (e.g. seat vibrations). However, they must be non-intrusive as to not interfere with driving focus.

• Privacy and data protection

Due to Europe’s stringent data privacy laws, DDAW systems must function without the use of biometric information, including facial recognition, of any vehicle occupants. It must also operate within a closed-loop system, only recording and retaining data on the device that is necessary for the system to function.

• Other requirements

DDAW systems must operate effectively during both day and night, in all weather conditions. The system must also be automatically activated and deactivated between specified speed thresholds.

Considerations for heavy vehicle manufacturers

The new GSR’s implications for heavy vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and coaches, are particularly significant. Given their size, weight, and frequent operation on highways, these vehicles pose heightened risks in the event of crashes.

DDAW systems must be tailored to the unique challenges of heavy vehicle operation. This includes adaptations for larger cabins with varying driver seat positions and dashboard layouts, and potential integration with existing technologies like tachographs and advanced braking systems.

Despite these challenges, the long-term benefits of DDAW systems are undeniable. Reduced crash rates and improved public safety are just the beginning. For fleet operators, enhanced driver performance and vehicle longevity translate into tangible economic advantages. For professional drivers, particularly those in long-haul or public transport sectors, DDAW systems provide an indispensable safeguard against the perils of fatigue during extended journeys.

In conclusion, the EU’s GSR, with its emphasis on DDAW systems, is an important milestone in the evolution of road safety. It’s likely the impact will resonate far beyond the EU, setting a benchmark for safety standards in trucks, buses and coaches worldwide.

Beyond GSR compliance

Once your vehicles are compliant with DDAW 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%.

Update: Guardian has been independently tested and meets the European Commission’s General Safety Regulation (GSR) for Drowsiness Detection and Attention Warning (DDAW) systems.

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You may also be interested in: Understanding Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) systems

¹ Hynd, D., McCarthy, M., Carroll, J., Seidl, M., Edwards, M., Visvikis, C., … & Stevens, A. (2015). Benefit and feasibility of a range of new technologies and unregulated measures in the fields of vehicle occupant safety and protection of vulnerable road users. Transport Research Laboratory for the European Commission.