Seatbelt Misuse: Exposing the Hidden Dangers with Camera-based Seatbelt Detection

The 2026 Safe Driving and Occupant Monitoring Protocol by Euro NCAP rewards vehicles that go beyond audible warnings for buckle engagement and effectively detect proper seatbelt routing. Learn how Neonode’s latest development in camera-based seatbelt detection meets the new safety ratings.

As vehicle safety standards continue to evolve, regulatory bodies like Euro NCAP have introduced stringent protocols to ensure optimal occupant protection. One key focus area in the 2026 Safe Driving and Occupant Monitoring Protocol is seatbelt usage, with a dedicated scoring system rewarding vehicles that effectively encourage proper seatbelt wear.

Seatbelts are one of the most effective safety devices in modern vehicles, credited with saving countless lives since their widespread adoption. However, despite their proven efficacy, recent data shows that seat belt use is at only 91.6% and unrestrained occupants currently account for 49.8% of deaths. Improper positioning to outright non-compliance, misuse undermines the protective potential of this critical safety feature.

Automakers seeking to improve passenger safety and attain a higher Euro NCAP safety rating can significantly benefit from Neonode’s advanced camera-based seatbelt detection, which provides real-time monitoring and accurate misuse detection.

Euro NCAP's Seatbelt Usage Scoring System

Euro NCAP has created the five-star safety rating system to help consumers, their families and businesses compare vehicles more easily and to help them identify the safest choice for their needs. The safety rating is determined from a series of vehicle tests, designed and carried out by Euro NCAP. These tests represent, in a simplified way, important real-life accident scenarios that could result in injured or killed car occupants or other road users.

The Euro NCAP protocol assigns a total of 10 points for seatbelt monitoring, divided into the following categories:

• Correct Seatbelt Routing (5 Points)

  • Seatbelt buckle: 2 points

  • Seatbelt completely behind the back: 1 point

  • Lap belt only, diagonal belt behind the back: 2 points

• Rear Seat Occupancy Detection (5 Points)

  • Vehicles with systems that detect rear seat occupancy and provide seatbelt reminders are awarded points based on the number of seats covered.

Challenges with Traditional Seatbelt Monitoring Systems

Traditional seatbelt reminder (SBR) systems typically rely on weight sensors in the seats and buckle detection switches. While these systems can detect whether a seatbelt is fastened, they lack the ability to determine how the seatbelt is worn. Misuse cases, such as wearing the lap belt only and placing the diagonal belt behind the back, often go undetected, leading to potential safety risks and lower Euro NCAP scores.

Neonode’s Camera-Based Seatbelt Detection Systems

Neonode’s camera-based seatbelt detection software utilizes AI-driven image recognition to analyze how seatbelts are worn in real-time. With advanced machine learning algorithms, the system can accurately identify whether the belt is on accurately or not worn at all. It uses data from existing interior cameras, so no extra hardware or sensors are required, and it can even be integrated as part of an existing driver monitoring system (DMS) and combined with other safety features in the vehicle.

Features that improve passenger safety, like advance seatbelt detection, not only differentiate an OEM from competitors, but also drive consumer choice. Safety is one of the most influential factors for buyers in the market for a new vehicle, surpassed only by price and fuel economy.

With the mission of building safer vehicles and and creating more comfortable driving experiences, Neonode's software offers the vehicle's occupants several advantages:

1. Accurate Seatbelt Usage Detection: Unlike traditional systems, the camera-based system can identify seatbelt misuse and ensure proper routing.

2. Comprehensive Rear Seat Occupancy Monitoring: Rear-seat passengers, often children, commonly neglect seatbelt use. Neonode's camera-based system can detect back seat passengers and issue reminders accordingly

3. Real-Time Warnings and Interventions: Whenever misuse is detected, even mid-journey, the system can trigger audiovisual alerts in real-time and prompt passengers to fix the belt.

Gaining More Euro NCAP Points with Camera-Based Systems

Given Euro NCAP’s emphasis on seatbelt misuse detection and rear-seat occupancy monitoring, Neonode’s solution specifically enhances a vehicle’s rating by:

• Detecting all misuse cases outlined in the correct seatbelt routing criteria, including correct routing over the body, belt behind the back and lap-belt only.

• Providing visual proof of proper seatbelt wear, reducing false alerts.

• Ensuring all occupied rear seats have active seatbelt reminders, helping secure 5 additional Euro NCAP points.

The system can also be configured to meet the protocol's general requirements for audio-visual synchronization and occupancy-based warnings.

Another Step Toward Safer Roads

Seatbelt misuse is a silent epidemic, undermining a safety tool that has been a cornerstone of automotive design for decades. As we move toward a future of smarter, safer vehicles, embracing seatbelt misuse detection is not just a good idea—it’s a moral and practical imperative. The evidence is undeniable: when they work as designed, seatbelts save lives. Ensuring they’re used correctly is the next logical step in that lifesaving mission.