New truck screens and EU safety regulations. Driving in the digital era – which is your top dash?
If you've been driving a new truck recently you've probably noticed some changes. A couple more things that beep at you, maybe some more buttons with new symbols - maybe a lot less buttons and a lot more touchscreen - well there's a reason for that. The EU's General Safety Regulation, GSR, which is introducing a host of new features to trucks, some of which have already been present for a while depending on the manufacturer or model.
With all this new tech, digital screens are needed. Some truck makers have taken the concept further than others, but with a plethora of warnings and info to show the driver, the old analogue dials and even the premium multi-media system isn't going to cut it. From July 2024, all new trucks sold in the EU had to comply with the updated GSR, which is part of the EU's 'Vision Zero' initiative, targeting zero fatalities and serious injuries on European roads by 2050.
Hmmm we're sure that'll succeed as driving standards are totally improving and there's certainly no increase in people who have no clue how to drive. The truck makers are getting in ahead of two deadlines in 2026 and 2029, and part of meeting these reg's is why everything has a pair of screens, one where your speedo and rev counter used to sit and the other one where the radio was. Eight safety features became mandatory in July '24.
Then more come into force in 2026 and 2029. The eight features are: 1 Emergency stop signal: A flashing brake light (or hazards) that signal the truck is slowing down rapidly or braking heavily
2 Tyre pressure monitoring system: Yeah, that one still seems to be a work in progress as everything we've driven's had a phantom fault, even when pressures are known to be spot on 3 Blind spot info: The proximity sensor that'll warn you of vulnerable road users in your side or front blind spots 4 Reversing info: Cameras or others sensors.
You might have noticed a camera feed pop up on the main screen as you back under a trailer 5 Moving off info: Warns you, driver, of people or objects in front before driving or moving slowly 6 Alcohol interlock installation facility: Yes your truck is pre-wired with an alco-lock.
Surely not produced with us sensible lot in mind. If you're that concerned a driver has a drink problem that you're thinking about one of these, maybe don't let him out in the lorry in the first place. Enquire about his wellbeing and if he could perhaps use some support - so many people are under severe mental stress right now
7 Drowsiness and attention detection: Decides when you're tired and tells you to concentrate, often 15 minutes into a shift when you're closely monitoring an overtaking lorry. If it gets fed up with you it'll give you an audible warning and cut the cruise off. How exactly it's working this out is a mystery to us, as we're regularly told off at the weirdest times
8 Intelligent speed assistance: That thing where it thinks it's telling you the correct speed limit and beeps at you to slow down. Or starts accelerating up to 50 in a 30. Thankfully the audible warning can be switched off as every truck we've driven doesn't have the right limits and nobody goes 40 on A-roads in Scotland anyway, the public really wouldn't like it if they did
There's more stuff to come in soon about cybersecurity and software updates. Are trucks now technically hackable? In 2029 there's two big updates:
Driver's improved direct vision: Specific requirements to improve "direct vision" (what drivers can see directly through the windows of their vehicle) and remove blind spots. We strongly suspect that this might mean the end of conventional mirrors, or a restriction on the size and shape, but nothing has been confirmed yet. And a black box data recorder for accidents. What this will record and how long for is currently unknown.
Cars sold in the EU under GSR2 (it's a can of worms) have been fitted with this since 2022. We'd imagine the truck one will be more advanced and extensive, but we'll have to see what happens there. Anyway, here's the dash of each of the seven main manufacturers and some of the features.
The new XG has been here since 2022
The DAF XG features Android and Apple hook up, but it's disabled so you can't use the sat nav as it's for cars.
The lane departure and speed warning are switched off via the steering wheel controls and the dashboard screen. All the heater controls remains separate which is good. Air vent location means it's hard to add a magnetic phone mount and there's no 24V sockets.
The interfaces are easy to use on both screens though and the driving position is spot on
The new Iveco S-Way interior looks very stylish
We've not driven one of these yet, but the seat base is much lower than the old model which is great news. Heater controls are independent which is good. There's lots of switch blanks on this press pic so we don't know how much mechanical truck functionality might be located on these.
Got one coming soon so we will update. Looks very practical
The TGX is the oldest design here but it still looks classy
The MAN has a very sensible set up with important functions located on buttons and a unique controller wheel with an arm rest. Still waiting for a go in one of these but drivers we speak to do seem to speak highly of the layout and interfaces
The Actros just had an interior facelift
The Mercedes-Benz Actros was first with the double digi dash set up and it's easy enough to use although we'd like a few more functions on normal buttons.
It's spacious and the storage is well thought out although the dash does look a bit bare with the screens 'stuck' there and not integrated into the dash, but the main thing is does it function properly and yes it's been around a long time and seems to be behaving on older ones (as far as we are aware)
The Renault comes with a different dash on left-hand drive T-Highs but you can't get it here
The Renault dash and interfaces are almost identical to Volvo and are very easy to use, it's a much better truck to get the hang of quickly than the old one, and all the mechanical functions as well as climate control are on buttons. There's loads of info available to the driver and the steering wheel is a massive improvement. Still no decent cup holders, mind
The Scania Smart Dash has had a difficult introduction but seems to be settling in
The new Scania dash has had quite a few teething problems, with the designers making the very odd choice of putting the PTO switch on the touch screen only.
The air dump, axle lift and diff lock are still on normal controls, they're just hidden down by the left of your steering wheel (on a RHD). Keeping these trucks right up to date with the latest software updates is essential, so get them done as soon as you can. It needs some tweaks but it does look fantastic.
We haven't driven one just yet so we will update this...
Same shape as the V4 dash but better build quality
Volvo's new FH dash has the perfect blend of traditional button controls and digital touch screen gizmos, there's four different dash screens and loads of easily accessible info including some excellent driver time management. One of the best digital dash updates for sure. So there you go, the screens are there to provide you with more information including new safety features, as well as providing camera views and lots of handy stuff like driver's hours management and in-depth mpg figures.
The key thing for us is, there's a lot of mechanical functions on trucks which need to stay on buttons such as load transfer, axle lift, diff lock, PTO and audible warnings. There can be benefits to the modern technology but we don't want to end up with one giant touchscreen like in a Tesla. A truck is a piece of mechanical equipment designed to move heavy things and there can be times when drivers need to use certain functions quickly.
A note on switching stuff off: While we'll routinely switch off the speed audible warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist (that function where it grabs the steering wheel to keep you in lane as you attempt to avoid a pothole) and driver assist system (on some trucks you can still switch off it telling you off) we never, ever, touch the AEBS. The first generation had problems, today's systems save lives. And honestly, once you get used to it, Adaptive Cruise Control is awesome and could one day get you out of trouble, you get used to spotting the slowsters doing 51 after a little while and take over the throttle to pass them, it becomes second nature.
Right this has gone on much longer than it should and it still probably has spelling mistaiks in it.
Keep on truckin' folks, and look out for your fellow drivers, it ain't easy out there right now.