Upgraded Volvo Driver Alert Support Targets Fatigue

Volvo Trucks has announced an upgrade to its Driver Alert Support system, adding new technology designed to better detect fatigue and distraction behind the wheel. The move reinforces Volvo’s long-standing focus on safety and aligns with upcoming global regulatory changes.

Long hours on the road place a heavy demand on truck drivers, making fatigue management a key concern for fleets. The upgraded system now combines two cameras:

• An eye-tracking camera, mounted above the truck’s side display, monitors the driver’s gaze to identify signs of distraction or drowsiness.
• A forward-facing camera, already in use, tracks lane markings and steering behaviour to recognise erratic or unsafe driving patterns.

If signs of inattention are detected, the system alerts the driver with a warning sound and a pop-up message. Should the behaviour continue, the system escalates its warnings with both visual and acoustic alerts.

Anna Wrige Berling, Traffic and Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks, explained:

“After several hours of driving it can be difficult to stay alert and focused behind the wheel. Our upgraded Driver Alert Support is even better at detecting and alerting a driver who shows signs of drowsiness or distraction. Our goal is to support the drivers and help to protect both them and the people they share the road with.”

She added that Volvo’s long-term vision is “zero accidents,” with safety remaining “at the core of everything we do.”

Regulatory Alignment

The system is already compliant with the EU’s General Safety Regulation (GSR2) requirements, including the Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) mandate coming into effect in July 2026. The new eye-tracking camera activates automatically at speeds above 18 km/h and can be switched off manually, as required under EU legislation.

Market Rollout

From November 2025, the enhanced Driver Alert Support will be standard across Volvo’s heavy-duty FH and FM models, and its medium-duty FL and FE trucks in the EU. It will also be introduced in other European markets including Norway, Switzerland, and the UK, with availability extending to additional regions on request. In markets outside the EU, Volvo will continue to offer the current version of the system.

Implications for Fleets

For fleet managers, the upgrade provides additional reassurance that drivers are supported by active monitoring systems designed to reduce the risks of fatigue-related incidents. With Euro NCAP having awarded both the Volvo FH and FM five-star safety ratings in its first-ever heavy truck safety assessment in 2024, this move further strengthens Volvo’s position as a leader in vehicle safety.

As fleets consider compliance, driver wellbeing, and the broader duty-of-care obligations, advanced driver monitoring systems like this will become central to both operational safety and regulatory alignment.