Driver Monitoring Systems: The Future of Vehicle Safety

The Rise of Driver Monitoring Systems in Automotive Safety

Driver monitoring systems (DMS) are rapidly gaining prominence as a crucial automotive safety feature globally. The increasing adoption of Level 2 driving assistance systems, such as General Motors’ Super Cruise and Ford’s BlueCruise in the United States, is significantly accelerating the integration and expansion of DMS technology.

How Driver Monitoring Systems Work

DMS employs strategically positioned cameras to continuously assess driver attentiveness. These systems verify that the driver remains focused on the road and is in a state of wakefulness and alertness.

Integrated directly into the vehicle, DMS can be programmed to respond to varying levels of driver inattention. Responses range from initial alerts and warnings to progressively slowing or even bringing the vehicle to a complete stop if the driver is unable to maintain control.

Global Adoption and Regulatory Changes

DMS is poised to become a standard safety component in vehicles as early as 2023. The U.S. bipartisan infrastructure bill includes provisions mandating the Department of Transportation to establish regulations aimed at curbing distracted and impaired driving. This also involves updating the U.S. New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

European standards will initially focus on addressing distracted and drowsy driving. However, future requirements in Europe will extend to detecting impairment caused by alcohol and drug use.

The Urgent Need for Enhanced Safety

The implementation of these technologies is critically timed. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that distracted driving contributed to over 3,000 fatalities in 2019, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.

Incidents involving impaired driving have also risen, with 10,142 deaths attributed to drunken driving crashes in 2019. Preliminary estimates from 2020 indicate a further 9% increase in DUI-related fatalities. Surprisingly, traffic deaths increased during the pandemic, contrary to expectations.

DMS is Currently Available and Expanding

Fortunately, DMS is a mature technology already being utilized in vehicles today. All major automotive manufacturers in the U.S. are actively planning to incorporate DMS into their offerings.

General Motors recently unveiled its next-generation UltraCruise system, which leverages DMS to ensure drivers can assume control when necessary. GM projects that this Level 2 system will enable hands-free driving in 95% of all driving scenarios. The existing Super Cruise system is also being expanded to encompass a wider range of vehicle models.

Worldwide Growth and Potential Impact

Globally, automakers are anticipated to accelerate the adoption of DMS in response to both increasing consumer demand for driver-assist features and evolving government regulations.

A recent study suggests that advanced emergency braking systems alone could reduce crashes in light vehicles by 33%. This statistic is compelling, especially considering that traffic fatalities decreased by 29% over the 39 years between 1980 and 2019.

Applying a conservative effectiveness rate of 30% to DMS, and assuming widespread adoption, it’s estimated that up to 4,200 fatalities and 315,000 injuries could have been prevented in 2019. Even with a more modest 10% effectiveness rate and a phased rollout, the potential for reducing road trauma remains substantial.

Synergy with Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and blind-spot detection, are recognized as significant advancements in vehicle safety.

However, these technologies function most effectively when integrated with DMS. For instance, a vehicle equipped with both DMS and AEB can adjust the AEB system’s activation point based on the driver’s attentiveness. Similarly, lane-keeping assistance can become more proactive in maintaining vehicle control when a distracted or drowsy driver is detected.

Regulatory Mandates and Standardization

U.S. automakers committed to including ADAS as standard equipment by 2022. Euro NCAP will mandate DMS as a component of ADAS starting in 2023. This combination of DMS and ADAS creates a comprehensive and robust vehicle safety system.

Privacy Considerations

DMS operates as a closed-loop system, ensuring that all data remains within the vehicle. The driver-monitoring camera utilizes sophisticated algorithms to analyze data points related to the eyes and facial expressions. No video recordings are made, and the system is designed to provide real-time assistance, not to monitor driver behavior, thus minimizing privacy concerns.

Industry and Consumer Support

Organizations like Consumer Reports, a trusted resource for vehicle buyers, highlight the importance of DMS in enhancing vehicle safety.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also recognizes the potential of DMS, including recommendations to accelerate the adoption of advanced safety technologies in its latest Most Wanted List.

Looking Ahead

Over the past year, DMS has emerged as a leading innovation in lifesaving automotive technologies. The technology is readily available and is being integrated into vehicles currently in production. Continued development of driver-assist technologies and the implementation of government regulations will further accelerate the widespread adoption of DMS. The U.S. infrastructure package is particularly crucial, with the potential to save up to 4,200 lives annually by mitigating the risks associated with distracted driving.