Volvo Trucks Enhances Its Driver Alert System

Volvo Trucks enhances its Driver Alert System with an eye-tracking camera to better support truck drivers and increase road safety. The updated support features will thus meet the revised safety legislation that comes into effect in July 2026, requiring all trucks in the EU to be equipped with such a system.

The updated support uses two cameras to detect signs of fatigue or inattentive driving. A new eye-tracking camera, positioned at the top of the side display in the truck, detects signs of distraction and warns the driver with a pop-up message and an alert tone. A forward-facing camera, which is part of the current warning system, monitors driving behavior and the truck’s position in relation to the lane and road edge. This allows for the identification of typical characteristics of drowsy or distracted driving behavior.

“After several hours of driving, it can be difficult to stay awake and focused behind the wheel. Our updated ‘Driver Alert Support’ is even better at recognizing and warning drivers who show signs of fatigue or distraction. Our goal is to support drivers and protect both them and the people they share the road with,” says Anna Wrige Berling, Director of Traffic and Product Safety at Volvo Trucks. “We are continuously developing and introducing further safety systems. Volvo Trucks’ long-term vision is zero accidents, and safety is at the core of our actions.”

The updated support features already comply with the revised EU safety legislation, the General Safety Regulation (GSR2) – including the second step, which comes into effect in July 2026, requiring all trucks in the EU to be equipped with Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) systems. Volvo’s new camera becomes active at speeds above 18 km/h.

The internationally known “Driver Alert Support” system will be standard for heavy trucks (Volvo FH and Volvo FM) as well as medium-duty trucks (Volvo FL and Volvo FE) from Volvo in the EU and some markets outside the EU, such as Norway, Switzerland, and the UK. Additionally, it will be available for order in other markets. The new system will go into production in November 2025. Outside the EU, Volvo will continue to offer the current “Driver Alert Support” with a forward-facing camera.

Safety is a core value for Volvo Trucks, and the company’s best-selling models, the Volvo FH and Volvo FM, both received the highest rating of five stars in the first Euro NCAP safety test for heavy trucks in 2024.

This is the updated “Driver Alert Support”:

• The system is based on two cameras. An eye-tracking camera detects signs of distraction based on the driver’s gaze angle. A front camera is used to track lane markings and compare them with the steering movements of the driver.
• If signs of distraction or fatigue are detected, the driver is warned with a pop-up message and an alert tone.
• If inattentive driving continues, a new pop-up message appears along with an escalated acoustic warning.
• The system automatically activates when the ignition is turned on.
• The “Driver Alert Support System” can be deactivated via a switch (GSR law).

Photo: © Volvo Trucks