UK to Mandate Driver Monitoring Cameras in All New Vehicles from July

New safety rules come into effect on July 7 requiring all new vehicles sold in the UK and Europe to be fitted with camera technology to detect if a driver is drunk, on drugs, distracted or too tired. Driver Monitoring Systems use infrared cameras, artificial intelligence and software to track a driver's eye movements and head position.

The systems detect signs of tiredness, distraction or impairment and issue warning sounds to alert the driver.

In some vehicles the Driver Monitoring System can slow the car down or bring it to a safe stop if the driver does not react. Around one in five fatal crashes in the UK involve alcohol or drugs, according to Department for Transport figures. In 2023, 260 people were killed in crashes involving drivers over the legal alcohol limit in the UK.

Another 1,600 people were seriously injured in such crashes that year. Drug-driving collisions caused 124 deaths in the UK in 2023. Those collisions also caused 57 serious injuries. " The spokesman added that the systems "form part of our determination to make Britain's roads safer for everyone" alongside tougher penalties and the wider Road Safety Strategy.

Matthew Avery, Director of Strategic Development at the European New Car Assessment Programme, said some people are worried about privacy regarding Driver Monitoring Systems. "Driver Monitoring Systems are still pretty new and are seen by some to be the spy in the cab, despite the fact that they are not recording any information," Avery told The Telegraph.

" The Government is considering plans to make 18 different safety technologies compulsory in new vehicles under Britain's type approval rules.

The proposed compulsory safety technologies include intelligent speed assistance, emergency braking systems for cars, cyclists and pedestrians, driver drowsiness monitoring and advanced distraction warnings. The Department for Transport estimates the changes could prevent more than 758,000 crashes and 65,000 casualties over the next 15 years. More than 1,600 people died on UK roads in 2024.

The consultation on the new rules closes on May 11. The measures aim to bring Britain in line with safety standards already used in the EU and Northern Ireland.