All new cars sold in the UK are set to be equipped with 'spy' cameras under new plans, and tampering with the devices could land drivers with a £1,000 fine. The artificial intelligence systems, which are being rolled out across the European Union this year, can monitor a driver's visual attention.
How the Technology Works
The hi-tech system can detect early signs of drowsiness and loss of attention. It monitors gaze direction and head pose, and the AI issues a warning if it detects that a driver's eyes have been off the road for too long. Motorists will receive non-intrusive warnings and prompts under the technology shake-up.
Consultation and Timeline
A Labour Party consultation into the new regulations for Britain is ending next week. After a consultation, new rules typically come into force between two months and a year, meaning motorists could be impacted within months, possibly as early as July.
Matthew Avery, director of strategic development at the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), said: "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." He told the Telegraph: "Yet, to me, they are the next seatbelts in terms of their potential safety impact, given their ability to recognise impaired driving."
Reactions from Experts
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: "In-car technology has a growing role to play in keeping people safe, just as seatbelts and airbags have done for decades. But as more sophisticated monitoring systems appear in new vehicles, it's crucial drivers understand what they can – and can't – do." He added: "The Government is consulting on mandating new cars to be sold with technologies such as driver distraction and drowsiness monitoring, which could genuinely improve road safety. Our research also shows a high degree of driver support. But the technologies will only work if drivers trust them and don't switch them off after getting frustrated by a series of 'bings and bongs' they don't understand. Education and acceptance is therefore key to making this technology actually save lives on our roads."
Government Statement
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport told The Sun: "Driver Monitoring Systems are a welcome innovation that can help alert drowsy, distracted or impaired drivers before tragedy strikes. Alongside tougher penalties and our wider Road Safety Strategy, they form part of our determination to make Britain's roads safer for everyone."
