European Commission Issues Regulation on Advanced Driver Distraction Warning Systems for Motor Vehicles

Strategic Insights -

The European Commission has issued a regulation requiring motor vehicles of categories M and N to be equipped with advanced driver distraction warning systems by 7 July 2024. The regulation aims to set specific test procedures and technical requirements for the type-approval of these systems, which will help drivers pay attention to the traffic situation and warn them when they are distracted. The regulation also focuses on warning drivers in cases of long visual distraction and sets reasonable expectations for the range of driver characteristics and seating positions for which the systems should be effective.

Key Takeaways:

  • The regulation applies to motor vehicles of categories M and N, defined in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
  • Technical requirements for the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to advanced driver distraction warning systems are laid down in Part 1 of Annex I to the regulation.
  • Specific test procedures for validation of advanced driver distraction warning systems are laid down in Part 2 of Annex I.
  • The regulation requires manufacturers to provide evidence that their ADDW system is effective across a defined range of driver characteristics and seating positions.
  • The regulation introduces a reference to this Regulation in Table 4 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2019/2144.
  • The provisions of this Regulation are closely linked and deal with rules concerning the specific test procedures and technical requirements for the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to their advanced driver distraction warning systems.

Statistics:

  • The regulation applies from 7 July 2024.
  • National authorities shall not refuse to grant EU type approval for a new type of vehicle or grant extension for an existing type of vehicle, where the vehicle concerned complies with this Regulation, if a manufacturer so requests from 1 January 2024.
  • The regulation sets reasonable expectations for the range of driver characteristics and seating positions for which ADDW systems should be effective.
  • The regulation focuses on warning drivers in cases of long visual distraction.
  • The regulation requires manufacturers to provide evidence that their ADDW system is effective across a defined range of driver characteristics and seating positions.

Sources:

  • COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2023/2590 of 13 July 2023 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles
  • Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on type-approval requirements for motor vehicles and their trailers, and systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles