A Guide to ADDW and DDAW Under the General Safety Regulation

From 2026, every new vehicle sold in the EU must include systems that track driver alertness and detect distraction.

These requirements stem from the General Safety Regulation (GSR), which defines when drivers should be warned and how these systems are expected to operate on the road.

As driver attention technologies become standard across the European market, understanding the scope and intent of the regulation is increasingly important for anyone following vehicle safety, in-cabin technology, or broader automotive developments.

This guide distills the key points into a clear, structured overview.

What’s Inside?

???? The role of the GSR in Europe’s road safety strategy: Why the regulation was introduced and how it supports long-term safety goals.

???? What ADDW and DDAW systems must detect: The key behaviors these systems monitor and when warnings are required.

???? Timelines for implementation: When the rules apply to new types and to all new vehicles.

???? GSR vs. Euro NCAP: How legislation and safety ratings differ, and how each shapes system expectations.

???? What the requirements mean in practice: How performance criteria, privacy rules, and validation processes guide system design.