New requirements for cars came into force in Europe: in-cabin cameras and an extended set of safety systems became mandatory

From July 7, 2026, a new phase of the General Safety Regulation (GSR) came into force in the European Union. Now, every new passenger car and light commercial vehicle, registered for the first time in the EU, must be equipped with additional safety systems.

Most of the innovations are aimed at reducing the number of accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users.

The mandatory list includes a modernized automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, capable of recognizing not only vehicles but also pedestrians and cyclists. Manufacturers are also required to improve visibility from the driver's seat, increase the area of safe glazing to reduce the severity of injuries in pedestrian collisions, and ensure compliance with new requirements for worn tire testing.

One of the most discussed innovations was the mandatory driver attention monitoring system.

It uses an infrared camera installed in the cabin, which tracks gaze direction, blink frequency, eye movements, and other signs of fatigue or loss of concentration. If the electronics detect that the driver is distracted or starting to fall asleep, the system warns them to return their attention to the road.

According to European regulators, such technologies can significantly reduce the number of serious accidents, as inattention remains one of the main causes of fatal road accidents.

The new requirements apply only to vehicles registered for the first time after July 7, 2026. Owners of already operating cars will not need to change anything, but cars without mandatory equipment will no longer be able to undergo the initial registration procedure in the European Union.

Despite the obvious benefits of a number of new technologies, their implementation has sparked debate among motorists. The main complaints are related to the increased cost of new cars due to mandatory equipment, as well as the use of cameras constantly monitoring the driver.

At the same time, European authorities remind that, according to statistics, alcohol is a factor in approximately a quarter of fatal road accidents in Europe, and speeding is associated with about 30% of such accidents. That is why the course towards implementing electronic assistants and control systems will continue.

Read more materials: