This is some seriously scary shit!!!
Update on the black box
By: Drivers.com staff
Date: Thursday, 21. September 2006
'Black boxes', or Electronic Data Recorders (EDRs), are certainly not new. The devices gather information on everything from speed, brake pressure and seatbelt use to air bag deployment. The information is most typically used for analyzing accident causes but it has been used also for determining guilt in criminal and civil cases throughout the U.S.
What's new is a law requiring that all manufacturers of vehicles sold in the U.S. must tell owners if their vehicles have the devices. The new rule takes effect with 2011 models.
A few years ago the inclusion of EDRs in cars became a hot issue, since the information they record could potentially be used in many ways that drivers are unaware of. Nevertheless, the devices are increasingly being installed in cars, with an estimated 15-20% of vehicles already having them. About 65% of all new cars sold in the U.S. in 2004 had EDRs installed. The U.S. National Highway Safety Administration is urging manufacturers to install them on all new vehicle models by 2008.
Typically, the EDRs record only a few seconds of information but that could change as consumers opt to accept more comprehensive information-recording such as GPS tracking and diagnostic data.
Needless to say, the privacy issue is not going to go away.
For many, privacy is virtually a non-issue – "If I’m not doing anything wrong why should I worry." For others, black boxes are the 'thin edge of the wedge' and part of a dangerous trend. They add to the vast amounts of information already available to governments, businesses and other institutions that have the capability collect and organize it, and this trend is uncomfortable.
There are interesting cases to bolster the arguments of both sides. For example the case of the Canadian driver who had no idea his car contained a device that recorded him travelling at 131 kms/h in a 50 km/h zone before his accident. This information was submitted as evidence and sent him to prison. And then there was the case of the Florida truck driver charged with vehicular homicide after his truck collided with a police car, killing an officer who had stopped to assist a disabled vehicle. Police alleged he was traveling at least 80 mph at the time of the crash. The truck's black box showed he was travelling at less than 70 mph and within the legal limit.
Crash analysis experts and safety researchers want to be able to read data that might help in explaining why crashes occur and developing prevention strategies.
There's no doubt, black boxes in cars are here to stay and are likely to extend their capabilities, particularly if partnered with GPS systems. Then the 'big brother' elements in our society will have the potential capability to know both how we drive and where.
In 2004, California became the first U.S. state to enact legislation requiring manufacturers to disclose to customers whether EDRs are installed in vehicles. The law also prohibits download of that data without the owner's permission or a court order. As of August 2006, California and New York have passed laws prohibiting rental car companies from using electronic surveillance or global positioning devices to impose fees, charges or penalties relating to the renter's use of the vehicle.
Other states are rapidly following suit. Nevertheless, there will certainly be ongoing controversy over the privacy issue during the coming years.
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All Comments (32)
Showing 1 - 32 comments
Angel in Reno, NV,
johnny foster,
thankyou allen, i agree. Until this has some limits drawn up as to where the line is drawn, in the humans rights for some privercey. It will edge us ever closer to a police state. if its not here allredy. i have the missfortune of having a police road safty camera outside my front door. which i belive to be on my door rather than on the road. And the people watching are far to imaginative for my own good: The police to whome i dont know personally. are all familiare with my name. And they are, i know trying to fathem out exactly what im up to, 24/7
such attention im getting isnt warrented. but never the less quite a worry.And i do feel like im no longer a free citizan. i may as well become a monk. in fact they are less watched than myself. not that im in any way dodgey eh eh you under stand
Allen Lewis,
KNOW WHAT?? I'm going to make sure that I don't ever buy a car with a recorder in it. I don't know or care what anyone else thinks, I am sick and tired of intrusive information gathering making the consumer take it up the butt!!! I even refuse to give Advance auto parts my telephone number, zip code or anything else. HEY PEOPLE, JUST LIKE SEX, your have the right to SAY NO! If you don't give premission, IN MY BOOK IT'S RAPE!!! Quit letting them rape your for your private information!!!
Fred Q Pubic,
I think all DWI and Drug convictions should have this a 5 year weekly download of their auto usage.
haley,
Go Cardinals
jen,
hahaha very funny... who is getting slapped?
haley,
Go Cardinals
someone's,
gettin slapped
jen,
why dont you both just shut up about it!!
sarah,
no your mamma is gay
gay,
yo mamma is ......
Sarah,
don't even say anything okay just don't you are retarted
gay,
You gonna make me?
jen,
i agree with sarah... jake shut up!
Sarah,
jake your an idiot okay you shut up
gay,
I agree this class is boring
gay,
Sarah shut up
Sarah,
This is really boring
Sarah,
This is really boring
Jen,
wats up everybody?
gay,
I hate this article so so so much
Jewel,
wats up im in drivers ed!
cody hamilton,
you are so funny that you make me laugh at the time we met in ges i love you
Don Harris,
Just wait till they connect your engine management systems up to gprs and you will not have to worry about speeding guys because it will impossible. Once you cross the line it will all be out of your hands and the govt will control your speed.It is already being trialled here in the uk.
yomomma,
hey yall i rep yo momma
doo doo,
what a silly goose
cody hamilton,
in atlanta the have cameras every where, from north on I75 to the south on I75 from 85N to 85S and around the circle on 285 georgian gov. knows every where you drive in georgia.
cody hamilton,
this is another example of big brother wanting to know every step we take and to know every where we go. no privacy or individualism at this rate will be left in america land of the free? we as the people of these united states must take action against these kinds of abuse of power in the american people, before its to late.
Bill Meyers,
What the heck you talkin bout?
Brian,
To Bill Meyers
Have you tried calling VW about black box data access, or maybe the local dealer might be able to help?
JO,
Well when I was going 126 in a 45mph zone..
i didnt get caught.so how about you dont speed in front of a policeman next time? hm?
Bill Meyers,
I was recently astounded in Oregon by being told that I was going 92 mph in a 65 speed limit highway straightaway. How do I allow the Oregon court to use my EDR (VW Jetta 2006 tdi) to prove this Policeman's error?
