Driver alert support (DAS)

This monitors driver’s alertness and issues a warning when it is reckoned to have deteriorated to a dangerous level.

An electronic eye watches the course being steered, using video cameras from lane keeping support. When a truck wanders between lane markings the system sounds a warning and a message appears on the dashboard. There are also messages alerting drivers to take a break. The cost for the DAS option is £430 but it needs lane keeping support adding £967.

Fortunately many systems share the basis building blocks so the incremental cost of adding more functions is not as huge as the one off costs suggests. As with most electronic equipment costs look set to tumble not least when production volumes soar following introduction of the EU legislation.