If You Like Seatbelts, You'll Like ADDW

I came across this video where the author claims that starting from July 2026 all cars sold in the European Union are required to be equipped with Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) system. This first part is true. Then, the author proceeds to conclude that the EU is mandating the installation of cameras and other sensors in the vehicles that would ensure that the driver is keeping both hands on the steering wheel and “not looking at the other stuff or phone” while driving. The author then takes a leap to connect this to electric vehicles and even central bank issued digital currencies! It's this second part that's problematic.

In short, the information shared in the video is highly misleading, and it doesn't look like the author is neither familiar with the legislation, nor with the technology underlying EVs. I'll go a couple of those points below.

First of all, there is no EU country whose laws provision for the driver to keep both of their hands on the steering wheel, or mandates the driver to keep their eyes on the road at all times. As such, the author+s claims and further conclusions taken on their basis lack substance.

Regarding the actual legal framework in the EU -- the law generally mandates for the driver to be as careful and attentful as possible at all times, which makes senes when you consider that an accident usually involves third-parties. There are many irresponsible drivers across Europe, and keeping a log in the vehicle of driving-related metadata is a very welcome addition. Such systems could be immensely useful in enforcing the law and the related court & insurance disputes, as well as incentivizing drivers to abide by the traffic law, thus safeguarding others.

Second, the government isn't pushing electric cars because "they're all connected to the internet". Most new cars are connected to the internet, it doesn't matter if it's gas, electric or horse-pulled. I'm not sure how this logic was further extended to mandated "digital wallets”, which are a Central Banking concept.

Third, public roads aren't for your entertainment, they quite literally have “public” in their name. The safety of others on the road cannot come at the cost of your personal driving habits or desires. If you go on a public road — you follow the law. There are plenty of designed places like race tracks and other private roads where you can lax the safety requirements at your own risk, without endangering others.