U.S. to propose mandatory vehicle ‘black boxes’

[Paslode]

We're 14 trillion dollars in hock, 9% unemployment and another regulatory agency believes we must have the additional expense of 'Black Boxes' in all vehicles by 2011.....AND they also propose "for future enhancements to (EDRs) capabilities and applicability (Can you say Mileage Tax, Automatic Kill Switch, tracking of evil civilians and 1984.)

They are just looking out for your best interest......

Detriot News
May 26, 2011 http://detnews.com/article/20110526/AUTO01/105260436

U.S. to propose mandatory vehicle ‘black boxes’

DAVID SHEPARDSON/ Detroit News Washington Bureau

The U.S. Transportation Department said today it will propose making vehicle "black boxes" mandatory in all vehicles by the end of the year.

The department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has long considered whether to make black boxes, officially called event data recorders, or EDRs, mandatory. They collect data about the seconds leading up to a crash and can help investigators determine the cause.

Last year, Congress considered requiring EDRs in all vehicles. NHTSA Administrator David Strickland told Congress the agency was studying the issue.

The plan was included in a 197-page Transportation Department regulatory reform proposal released by the White House this morning.

"NHTSA plans to propose mandatory EDRs in all passenger vehicles in 2011," the Transportation Department said in the report.

In a separate agency document posted on its website, NHTSA said it is also working on a proposal "for future enhancements to (EDRs) capabilities and applicability."

But the agency said it hasn't decided whether to require EDRs in heavy-duty vehicles.

Most automobiles already have the devices. NHTSA estimated that about 64 percent of 2005 model passenger vehicles had the devices. Many major automakers already include them all vehicles, including General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and Mazda Motor Co.

In August 2006, NHTSA issued a rule setting standards for EDR data collection.

The rule, which takes effect in the 2013 model year, standardizes the information EDRs collect and makes retrieving the data easier. Devices must record 15 data elements, including vehicle deceleration, in specific formats.

Different automakers collect different data. In 2009, not all Toyota EDRs recorded both pre- and post-crash data. By the end of last year, all Toyota and Lexus vehicles included EDRs that can record both.

In May 2010, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the trade association GM, Ford, Chrysler Group LLC, Toyota and eight other automakers, endorsed making EDRs mandatory in all vehicles, but expressed concerns that some in Congress wanted more elaborate and expensive ones than are available.

The devices have been in use for about 20 years.

GM began widely installing the predecessor version of today's event data recorders in vehicles in the 1990 model year, and they became standard equipment in light duty vehicles in the 1995 model year.

dshepardson@detnews.com

(202) 662-8735

© Copyright 2011 The Detroit News. All rights reserved.

http://detnews.com/article/20110526/...C3%82%E2%80%99

[rdret1]

If these EDRs have been on vehicles since '05, who is collecting the crash data? I know it isn't NC LEOs or HP. The boxes may get sent to the SBI for felony death by motor vehicle cases but I don't recall any instances where they have been a factor in a conviction. That is what we have traffic reconstructionists for.

If anyone knows any different, chime in.

[Richard]

Meh...

The rule, which takes effect in the 2013 model year, standardizes the information EDRs collect and makes retrieving the data easier. Devices must record 15 data elements, including vehicle deceleration, in specific formats.

Different automakers collect different data. In 2009, not all Toyota EDRs recorded both pre- and post-crash data. By the end of last year, all Toyota and Lexus vehicles included EDRs that can record both.

In May 2010, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the trade association GM, Ford, Chrysler Group LLC, Toyota and eight other automakers, endorsed making EDRs mandatory in all vehicles, but expressed concerns that some in Congress wanted more elaborate and expensive ones than are available.

The devices have been in use for about 20 years.

Makes sense as it would let acident investigators know whether it was a manufacturing or driver error and the cost has nothing to do with the govt - IMO the "On-Star" system and "Blue Toothing" your i-Phones to your car's systems is far more Big Brotheresque than the EDR.

Richard

[SpikedBuck]

Patriot Act?!

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Richard

Meh...


Makes sense as it would let acident investigators know whether it was a manufacturing or driver error and the cost has nothing to do with the govt - IMO the "On-Star" system and "Blue Toothing" your i-Phones to your car's systems is far more Big Brotheresque than the EDR.

Richard

I disagree, Blue tooth and I-phones are a "freeman's" choice. This EDR is not a choice.

Five bucks says in the first six months after they are mandatory it will be a felony to disengage them.

[Richard]

Doesn't bother me - it's not a 'tracking' device and is activated upon a command for air-bag deployment.

Originally designed to improve air bag performance based on the severity of the collision, the event data recorder can tell traffic accident investigators about the car's speed, engine RPMs, how far the accelerator pedal was pressed, if the brakes were applied, whether the driver’s seatbelt was buckled and what warning lights were on

http://www.harristechnical.com/cdr.htm

Richard

[Murak]

Originally Posted by SpikedBuck

Patriot Act?!

Patriot Act will have nothing to do with it. The vote was extended over two hours after it was said to be resigned only to keep certain amendments still in tact. I.E. Police able to obtain warrants via the court for terrorist suspects, warrant-less searches of gun laws, and others unmentioned. Charlie mic.

[WRMETTLER]

Just like our mobile phones and computers, I bet there is more to the device than stated.

Isn’t anyone surprised that this device is being pushed at the same time the Vehicle Mile Tax (VMT) is being raised. It is quite a coincidence.

Is this device designed, in addition to providing information about the specifics of a vehicle immediately before and during a collision, to transmit tracking information for tax purposes or other government purposes?

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by Richard

Doesn't bother me - it's not a 'tracking' device and is activated upon a command for air-bag deployment.

Originally designed to improve air bag performance based on the severity of the collision, the event data recorder can tell traffic accident investigators about the car's speed, engine RPMs, how far the accelerator pedal was pressed, if the brakes were applied, whether the driver’s seatbelt was buckled and what warning lights were on

http://www.harristechnical.com/cdr.htm

Richard

Sir,

I would bet that in time this device will produce live feed data of present location, miles driven, point to point, frequently visited places of interest, fuel usage, speed, braking, seat belt usage, bag deployment and traffic violations. All of which be used by our Government and Insurance Companies to drain as many dollars out of your pocket into theirs....all under the guise of 'Public Safety'.

And that doesn't even cover the sales of data to marketing companies and other more nefarious uses.


Imagine driving with HAL 9000....I don't want or need BiG Bro as my Co-Pilot.

Originally Posted by Paslode

Sir,

I would bet that in time this device will produce live feed data of present location, miles driven, point to point, frequently visited places of interest, fuel usage, speed, braking, seat belt usage, bag deployment and traffic violations. All of which be used by our Government and Insurance Companies to drain as many dollars out of your pocket into theirs....all under the guise of 'Public Safety'.

And that doesn't even cover the sales of data to marketing companies and other more nefarious uses.


Imagine driving with HAL 9000....I don't want or need BiG Bro as my Co-Pilot.

Right on. It's a slippery slope that many feel betters society, but in the end, only enslaves us.

[djm0039]

Working in auto and commercial claims I can actually speak on this subject. There are actually a substantial percentage (my guess is about 15-20 of new cars) of vehicles that have EDRs today, but most only record on a continuous loop for about 2 minutes at a time until the computer detects a major event (airbag deployment, engine failure, electronic failure). At that point the EDR saves the previous “loop” of data. We currently only hire experts to download and assess this data on major claims as the cost runs anywhere from $4000 to $8000 to analyze this data.

I have literally handled 10,000+ claims and I can remember LE getting the data in less than 5 cases (all involved a death) and I have hired an expert maybe 20 times and in all of those cases it either involved death or serious injury.

If you would like to know if your car has an EDR, PM me your VIN and I'll tell you.

Davin

[Murak]

Originally Posted by wet dog

Right on. It's a slippery slope that many feel betters society, but in the end, only enslaves us.

10 planks of the Marx Implementation? Socialism?

Originally Posted by djm0039

If you would like to know if your car has an EDR, PM me your VIN and I'll tell you.

Davin

That alone scares me.

But given manufacturers history I understand. What make, model, year can we expect EDRs to have become standard in most vehicles?

[Richard]

These comments/questions lead me to believe nobody read the link in post #6 or went on to check out any of the informational links that page provides.

For example - those links offer current info as of 4 May 2011 for:

• Vehicles with an EDR on board.
• Toyota Vehicles with an EDR on board.
• Electronic Control Module Field Guide (Trucks)
• EDR Case Law
• State Statutes on Motor Vehicle Event Data Recorders
• List of Event Data Recorder Service Providers
• And so on...

Just sayin'...

Richard

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by Richard

[COLOR="lime"]These comments/questions lead me to believe nobody read the link in post #6 or went on to check out any of the informational links that page provides.Just sayin'...

Richard

On the surface it looks like a well meaning project, but the implications of the Black Project side of is scary.....at present you can 'opt-in' for additional discounts from insurers by installing a device that tracks mileage, speed and who knows what else.

The insurance industry offers discounts to entice people to become test subjects, testing is done, infrastructure is built and all it takes is someone like Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D. shepherd such a Black Project, and before long it isn't an option, it is a mandate and another noose around the neck of your freedom to choose.

The Obama administration has floated a transportation authorization bill that would require the study and implementation of a plan to tax automobile drivers based on how many miles they drive.

This innocent Black Box will in turn into a project on the scale of those innocent cameras we now have all around the city streets and highways that keep an eye on traffic.........and some now have infared, NV and long distance capabilities.