--- title: "In-Car Cameras Are Now Required in Europe. US Isn’t Far Behind" date: "2026-07-09" modified: "2026-07-09" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/in-car-cameras-are-now-required-in-europe-us-isnt-far-behind" categories: - "Car Tech" - "News" --- # In-Car Cameras Are Now Required in Europe. US Isn’t Far Behind ![The new Mercedes CLA, seen here, has a camera mounted just above its central infotainment screen.]() *The new Mercedes CLA, seen here, has a camera mounted just above its central infotainment screen. \Adam Ismail\* A slate of laws impacting new cars has just gone into effect in the European Union as of Wednesday, and it's likely to have some opponents. The bloc is [now mandating]() that every vehicle come equipped with an interior-facing camera as part of an "advanced driver distraction warning (ADDW) system" that can monitor when drivers are distracted, drowsy, or otherwise inattentive, and alert them to stay focused. Attention-minded features in cars are nothing new, and plenty serve up periodic reminders if you've been driving for long periods of time to take a break or maybe even stop for a cup of coffee. There's a difference between an occasional nudge on a "dumb" timer, however, and what an ADDW system would do, keeping an eye on you to catch you slipping. While any reasonable person would appreciate their fellow motorists being more attentive behind the wheel, the real danger is of course what happens to this footage once it's preserved, and whether automakers will be careful and clever enough to properly protect it from nefarious actors. Not to mention, frankly, whether the automakers *themselves* can be trusted with such sensitive data. *[All About Cookies]()*, in its own explainer on the situation that anyone concerned should take a look at, referenced a *[New York Times]()* investigation into how car manufacturers like General Motors and Honda have already been caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar, sharing "driving score" data with brokers, who then, in some cases, sold that information to insurance companies, where it was used to raise customers' rates. ![]() *Hyundai offers a drive-rating feature in its vehicles that shares driving behavior with brokers like LexisNexis. *Adam I**smail** Now, while the EU does mandate that ADDW systems function in a "closed loop"—that is to say, not sending out data to servers and ensuring everything stays within the vehicle—demanding that and actually *enforcing* it with specific processes are two very different things. And even if the privacy matters are taken seriously, this is still another example of [technological]() encroachment that's guaranteed to further drive up vehicle costs, at a time when they're already spiraling out of control. In addition to the ADDW rule, the EU is also requiring new cars to feature advanced emergency braking systems capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists, expanded safety glass area to protect pedestrians in accidents, and new tests for worn tires to evaluate safe performance. Back in 2021, the U.S. Congress passed a bill that would require similar technology, including in-car cameras, in new vehicles to combat drunk and impaired driving. Following an extension, that tech is required to be installed in cars beginning next year. The problem with that ultimatum is that the tech necessary to passively detect signs of intoxication isn't mature enough yet, and, [in April](), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration deemed that none of it was close to ready for commercialization. So, Americans might be spared of mandated cabin surveillance for the moment, but the way things are going, it's only a matter of time before we join our counterparts across the pond. *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()