We live in the most exciting era ever when it comes to technological development. AI is already improving breast cancer diagnostics, self-driving cars are becoming a reality, and access to information is faster, broader and more diverse thanks to social media.

At the same time, we live in one of the most surveilled and regulated times in history.

A new law that went into full effect recently is the EU’s regulation on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). From July 7, 2026, all new cars must have systems that monitor the driver’s attention, including eye movements, head position, fatigue, and distraction.

A development that will likely lead more people to hold on to their older petrol and diesel cars.

Several European countries have already introduced low-emission zones where older cars are banned. The EU has also decided to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035.

So far, the EU has not proposed a general scrappage of all cars older than a certain year, but the direction is clear.

We are heading toward a future where technology both liberates and controls us.