Belgium Mandates In-Car Monitoring Cameras for All New Cars

As of July 2026, every new car sold in Belgium and across the European Union must be equipped with an Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) system — an infrared camera that continuously monitors where the driver is looking. The mandate, part of the EU’s General Safety Regulation (Regulation 2019/2144), is designed to combat driver distraction, which the European Commission estimates plays a role in 10 to 30 percent of serious traffic accidents.

How the ADDW System Works

The ADDW system, often called a “meekijkcamera” (watching camera) in Dutch, uses an infrared camera mounted in the dashboard or A-pillar to track the driver’s eye movements, head position, and posture. According to HLN, the system works even in complete darkness and through sunglasses, as it relies on infrared light rather than visible light.

If the driver looks away from the road for more than 3.5 seconds at speeds above 50 km/h, the system issues an audible and/or visual warning. At speeds above 20 km/h, the alert must begin within 6 seconds. The system tracks gaze across three defined areas: the forward view (where drivers should focus), peripheral areas, and downward zones such as the dashboard, center console, or gear shift area.

Part of a Broader Safety Package

The ADDW mandate is one component of a comprehensive EU safety framework. The General Safety Regulation, introduced in July 2022, is expected to save over 25,000 lives and prevent at least 140,000 serious injuries by 2038, according to the European Commission. Other mandatory systems include Intelligent Speed Assistance, Lane Keeping Assist, Automated Emergency Braking, and an Event Data Recorder (the “black box”).

Alongside ADDW, a second system took effect this month: an Emergency Brake Signal that causes brake lights to flash rapidly during hard braking, making emergency stops more visible to following traffic. This system requires no additional hardware and has negligible cost.

Privacy Protections and Concerns

Under EU rules, ADDW systems must operate without biometric identification — no facial recognition is permitted. The system functions in a closed loop, meaning data stays local in the vehicle and is not stored or transmitted. However, as Bright.nl notes, if the system issued an alert just before an accident, that data can be retrieved from the mandatory Event Data Recorder.

Privacy advocates have raised concerns about what they describe as a “slippery slope.” While current regulations prohibit data storage and transmission, critics argue that laws can change, and some Chinese automakers have been noted for storing cabin camera footage, raising questions about data sovereignty.

Can Drivers Disable the System?

For now, drivers can temporarily disable the ADDW system, but it automatically reactivates each time the car is started — EU regulations require this auto-reactivation. The EU has indicated plans to eventually close this “loophole” and make the system non-disableable.

Practical Issues and Implementation Quality

Industry observers have noted significant variation in system quality between manufacturers. As Seeing Machines, an Australian company specializing in driver monitoring technology, explains, ADDW systems must be tailored to different vehicle types, from cars to trucks and buses. Some systems are overly sensitive, triggering warnings when drivers check mirrors or glance at the infotainment screen. Sunglasses can also cause false alerts with certain implementations.

Economic Impact

The component cost of the ADDW camera is estimated at a few tens of euros per vehicle, but development costs are additional. Automakers warn that the cumulative cost of mandatory safety systems may make some smaller, affordable models uneconomical to sell in Europe. Several models — including the petrol Porsche Macan, Toyota GR86, and Subaru BRZ — have already been withdrawn from the European market due to compliance costs.

What’s Next

As the regulation takes full effect for all newly registered vehicles, Belgian drivers purchasing new cars will find their vehicles equipped with this watching eye from day one. The broader question remains whether the system will achieve its safety goals or whether driver annoyance will lead to widespread disablement. The EU’s stated intention to eventually make ADDW non-disableable suggests this regulatory evolution is far from over.