New EU rules will make all new cars have to be fitted with state-of-the-art technology which warns drivers if they are falling asleep at the wheel.
The technology features a driver facing camera which monitors the amount of time a motorists’ eyes are closed and can recognise if they are becoming drowsy.
The technology is already in use in some newer cars with the car automatically slowing down if warning sounds are ignored and in some cases an emergency stop will take place if the driver fails to respond.
The European Commission has been considering a number of new safety restrictions on cars to come into place for 2022, including the limiting of speed on most cars. The drowsy driver technology will be compulsory in new cars from 2022 and will have to be installed in all cars by 2024.
Though the UK may be out of the European Commission by 2022, drivers in this country will still have to adopt EU laws under the United Nations laws.
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: "We continuously work with partners around the world to improve the safety standards of all vehicles.
"These interventions should deliver a step-change in road safety across Europe, including the UK, and driver awareness technologies could help save dozens of lives a year."