Aiming to reduce accidents, a new law was passed this year which will require all new cars sold across the European Union (EU) from 2022 to have systems that warn drivers of drowsiness and distraction. The law has been deemed necessary as data shows that, in the UK for example, , there have been 4,000 accidents and 150 fatalities caused by driver fatigue since 2015.
DS Automobiles, the premium brand in the PSA Group, is among the first to respond to this new law to fit cars with fatigue alert systems. Its DS Driver Attention Monitoring system helps keep drivers alert and prevents them from falling asleep at the wheel. The advanced technology tracks signs of tiredness and could save around 50 lives a year on UK roads.
Monitoring with infrared cameras
The system, already available on the DS 7 CROSSBACK, combines a pair of infrared cameras focused on the driver with continuous vehicle position monitoring. Futuristic driver-facing cameras, mounted above the steering wheel and at the top of the windscreen, monitor 3 key physical signs of distraction or drowsiness; movement of the eyes, eyelids or neck. If any of these are detected, an audible alert is set off and a warning notice appears on the digital instrumentation display.
At the same time, vehicle position monitoring constantly tracks the car in relation to road markings and warns the driver with an audible alert if there are any sudden or unexpected steering movements.
The combination of these technologies allows the system to comprehensively monitor drivers for the key warning signs of distraction and drowsiness and maximises the window in which a driver can be warned and encouraged to take steps to counter against it.
“Distracted and tired drivers are a serious safety threat on roads across the UK and it is the cause of thousands of accidents a year, with some ending in fatalities. This serious issue can benefit from the latest technologies available, which is why we have made our DS Driver Attention Monitoring technology available across the range on DS 7 CROSSBACK. Coupled with DS Night Vision and DS Active Led Vision, DS Automobiles is able to lead the way on improving the safety on the roads,” said the company’s Head of Product, Vince Clisham.
