The Automotive "BLACK BOX"

Automotive "BLACK BOX"
Most passenger vehicles are now equipped with "black box" devices that record data immediately before, during, and after a crash. these event data recorders, or EDRs, can help police and investigators reconstruct what happened in a crash and why. They record information such as vehicle speed, throttle position, air bag deployment, whether brakes were applied, and if the driver was wearing a safety belt. First introduced by General Motors in basic form on air bag-equipped models, by the 2005 model year EDRs were being used by various manufacturers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says more recent data shows all new cars have some form of EDR. But the specific information gathered varies by auto manufacturer, and some companies make it easier to retrieve data than others. Back in 2006, NHTSA mandated that all new vehicles equipped with EDRs by the 2013 model year must make the information standardized and readily accessible by authorities. While the devices can undoubtedly aid with crash investigation, privacy issues have been raised about the use of EDRs. According to NHTSA, captured data is the property of the vehicle owner. But even on vehicles where it is accessible, special tools are required to get it. The IIHS says police or investigators can access the data with the owner's consent, or can obtain a court order to gain access if the owner refuses.