An awareness detection system (10) and method (100) that includes an imaging device (16) positioned to obtain a plurality of images of at least a portion of a subject's (18) head, and an awareness processor (28) in communication with the imaging device (16), wherein the awareness processor (28) receives the plurality of images from the imaging device (16). The awareness processor (28) performs the steps including classifying at least one image (106) of the plurality of images based upon at least a portion of the subject's (18) head, monitoring movement of at least one eye (112) of the subject (18) if the at least one image is classified as a predetermined classification, and determining an awareness state (114) of the subject (18) based upon the monitored movement of the at least one eye.
