The EU recently announced that its new “life-saving systems” for vehicles have gone into effect as of July 7th.
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This mandates that all cars and vans meet requirements for expanded safety glass, new tests for worn tires, emergency brake detections, and most notably, an “advanced driver distraction warning system to keep drivers focused.”
What is this warning system, you ask? Welcome to eye-tracking cameras. These ADDW systems are required to monitor where the driver is looking at all times.
According to official EU documents, “The presence of the driver’s gaze shall be monitored by the ADDW system in the areas of interest.”
Areas of interest? To whom?
The new rules define “distraction” areas as: the driver’s lap, the center console, and behind the driver’s seat, among others.
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Republicans recently argued against similar technology being made mandatory in the U.S., including both passive and active monitoring tools, some of which can be powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Some officials have been lobbying for these infrared cameras that track a driver’s eye movements and pupil dilation, and also for “cockpit-embedded sensors” that would estimate a driver’s blood alcohol levels via that person’s breath or skin contact.
What could go wrong?
EU official:
Where are your eyes looking? Hey, over here! Back on the glass directly in front of you! Your hand has been in your lap for 45 seconds now, what’s up with that? Whoa, what’s going on in the back seat! And what are you drinking?
Like COVID-19 lockdowns and gun control measures, this is not about safety. It is not about where the drivers’ eyes are looking. It is about the government’s eyes on the drivers. You and I. As with Flock cameras, imbedded chips, digital currency, etc., etc. How does it feel knowing Big Brother is focused on you?
We have already gone way too far down a road that ought not have been travelled.
The authorities have every moment of that trip on film. And we weren’t happy about it. They could see it in our eyes.
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Image: Grok, ai-generated illustration