Event Data Recorder (EDR)

a car's black box

from JoeUser Forums
I've just found this out, about EDRs, Event Data Recorder that are in some cars, the newer models, the data from this little box can give information about your vehicle and in essence about you in the event of a motor vehicle accident.


" we are referring to a device installed in a motor vehicle to record technical vehicle and occupant information for a brief period of time (seconds, not minutes) before, during and after a crash. For instance, EDRs may record (1) pre-crash vehicle dynamics and system status, (2) driver inputs, (3) vehicle crash signature, (4) restraint usage/deployment status, and (5) post-crash data such as the activation of an automatic collision notification (ACN) system. We are not using the term to include any type of device that either makes an audio or video record, or logs data such as hours of service for truck operators. EDRs are devices which record information related to an "event." In the context of this site the event is defined as a highway vehicle crash. "



That information was copied from the EDR website Link . *


Just to illustrate how useful and helpful an EDR is, there was the case of a man who was convicted in the deaths of two children who were in the back seat of their parent's car that was pulling out of their driveway. The person who was convicted was driving very fast, too fast to stop his vehicle in time, crashed into the car and killed the two little girls. According to the man, he was only going 50 mph in a 30 mph zone.

When the EDR was located and checked for details of the crash. Do you know how fast this guy was going? He was doing 114 mph before the crash, in a 30 mph zone! Right before impact, he could only slow down to 103 mph! This is incredible! My mouth fell open when I heard this! How could he in his right mind have been driving that fast in a 30 mph zone, in a residential area?


That information convicted him and he is in prison for 30 years!


Car makers plan to have these devices in all new cars eventually. Yet some cars already have them. Many car owners are unaware that these "black boxes" are in their cars and some people might find it intrusive because they don't know who might use the information within for reasons other than an accident report. I'm sure the debate will continue as these boxes become more prevalent.
4,137 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

1984 did not spring up over night.  Every step Orwell's world took to Big Brother was one on the oard of good intentions.  It was not until the populace had lost all that they asked "how could this be".

So it is with EDRs and such.  Good intentions and see?  They helped in this case. Today

Tomorrow? Some politician is going to pass a law that says "hey!  The data is there, lets just read it to see who is speeding - speeding costs lives too!".  And so it starts. (Actually it started a long time ago, but you do not see the incremental creep of the tide until your standing in the water.)

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Tomorrow? Some politician is going to pass a law that says "hey! The data is there, lets just read it to see who is speeding - speeding costs lives too!". And so it starts.


True! In essense is it intruding on our privacy even when some people are breaking the law? It is able to give data on who was or wasn't wearing their seat belt, how long someone has been driving, speeding and whether or not they slowed down, also if there was a passenger or not, etc. People are already using it, and it's pretty much the same like the GPS system that gives people's location, that crosses the boundaries of privacy too.
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
In addition to these black boxes I think that all cars should have GPS systems installed. Only the owners would know the transponder code to track and record there vehicles speed and whereabouts.

The number of young drivers killed every year is horrible. If they knew that their parents were going to know if they tried to see how fast the car could go in reverse they wouldn’t try it. It’s a miracle any kid survives or doesn’t kill someone in there first few years of driving especially males. If Hulk Hogan’s son would have known the Hulkster would find out he was drag racing, his friend would still be alive.

I don’t buy the slippery slope argument. We are creatures of conscience and we will always know were the line is.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

I don’t buy the slippery slope argument. We are creatures of conscience and we will always know were the line is.

On that we will never agree. Just look at Social Security.  And what it does now, and what the law was written to require of that number.  I dont think we may be going on a slippery slope.  I maintain we are already sliding on it.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
If Hulk Hogan’s son would have known the Hulkster would find out he was drag racing, his friend would still be alive.


Not so. Terry Hogan was at the accident scene moments after it happened. He couldn't have been watching. And, while his friend isn't considered to be a productive member of society, he is alive.

These sorts of devices will not prevent accidents at all. Let's use the parent/teen argument for why this data is good. Today, I can go an buy a device for my car that will record speed, seat belt useage, location and even G forces experienced. I put my child in the car and send them out. Data is now being collected but I do nothing with it. Why would I spend the money and do nothing with it? Because, if you are that sort of overprotective/non-trusting parent your kid isn't getting out of the house all that much and when they are they are going in someone else's car.

Now to the reality of the situation. I buy the device to hide in my kids car collect a bunch of data and do absolutely nothing with it because I don't have the time. I spent them money because it made me feel safer.

I guess I am going to have to wrap my car in tin foil so the government can't track my trip to the 7-11.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
The number of young drivers killed every year is horrible. If they knew that their parents were going to know if they tried to see how fast the car could go in reverse they wouldn’t try it.


This is true! I think Dateline or Prme Time Live did a feature on this, teen driving. When the teens are with their friends, no adults in the car, the things they do and the way they drive, it's a miracle they survive that trip. However, when their parents are in the car, or when they found out that their parents were going to see the tape, they were very apprehensive about the reactions! It's not as if the parents didn't warn them about driving carefully too.


These sorts of devices will not prevent accidents at all


Absolutely not, it won't prevent. But it will be there as proof, unbias truth in the event of an accident.


Today, I can go an buy a device for my car that will record speed, seat belt useage, location and even G forces experienced. I put my child in the car and send them out. Data is now being collected but I do nothing with it. Why would I spend the money and do nothing with it? Because, if you are that sort of overprotective/non-trusting parent your kid isn't getting out of the house all that much and when they are they are going in someone else's car.Now to the reality of the situation. I buy the device to hide in my kids car collect a bunch of data and do absolutely nothing with it because I don't have the time. I spent them money because it made me feel safer.


It's definitely a waste to not use it teach teens about safety and all that. It definitely would be a good deterrent to chronic speeders too!


I guess I am going to have to wrap my car in tin foil so the government can't track my trip to the 7-11.


! I think we will all have to walk around with a tin foil wrapped around our heads soon!! Just be sure to avoid lightening storms!lol!