Black Boxes/Event recorders

CapnDean · May 22, 2003

I have recently read of the black boxes installed in some cars.

I am not one of those conspiracy theorist that suspect it is an attempt of the government to exercise control or anything like that. {Orwellian nightmare...BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU}

I also agree that the concept COULD be used to defend a driver in an accident suit as well as convict him.

Note that in the case I read about involving the privacy issue here was the deal: Dude slammed into a car with 2 teenagers in it, kilt em both.

At trial, his lawyer said that he was travelling 50 mph when he hit em. The black box said 103.

I can see the difference as being the difference between an unfortunate accident and criminal negligence. I would not have a problem with this black box being used in trial in that it could have as easily affirmed his 50 mph claim had that been the case.

Anybody know if our trucks have em?

GnatGoSplat · May 22, 2003

Every vehicle with an airbag has it.

The module stores speed at which airbags were deployed into non-volatile memory.

MarkD · May 22, 2003

This is an emotional issue for some.

If you lost a family member or had a family member injured by someone who was at fault. I am sure you would support this technology.

I think we need to look beyond that at the self-incrimination issues. The guy/gal who was/is at fault purchased and owned the car/weapon and the "black box".

I also think we need to look where this issue COULD go...Maybe an officer should be pro-active in saving lives with these "boxes" (VASCAR even) Maybe they should emit a signal...to be detected by police scanners...

If you can't tell, I don't think these boxes should be admissable.

At trial, his lawyer said that he was travelling 50 mph when he hit em. The black box said 103.

OK, you couldn't tell without the box that he was going 103 and not 50???

CapnDean · May 22, 2003

Mark;

Yeah...I support the technology, I would not support the use of it with a transmitter for the police to MONITOR our driving habits - - or say let the HWY patrol "read" your box to see if you have been naughty. You are correct to opine that it COULD go that far (vascar).

When I was a teenager, vascar would have curtailed my joy quite a bit.

I felt that the damage done iin the accident supported the 103 mph theory....the victims' car was toast. But you know how the lawyers can be....PROVE that the driver was criminally negligent.

In their attempts to do so, the prosecution brought out the black box that said 103....Nuff said!

lrymal · May 22, 2003

Personally, I like the box reader that the police are carrying. I was in a very minor collision with a lady who said I was speeding.

The officer read my box, said my speed was appropriate and at the limit and gave her a ticket for causing the collision.

I think she was just having a bad day. Neither vehicle was damaged and just as I began talking with her (through her yelling), the police car drove by and pulled in.

Anyway, I like the box.

MarkD · May 22, 2003

Personally, I like the box reader that the police are carrying. I was in a very minor collision with a lady who said I was speeding.

The officer read my box, said my speed was appropriate and at the limit and gave her a ticket for causing the collision.

I think she was just having a bad day. Neither vehicle was damaged and just as I began talking with her (through her yelling), the police car drove by and pulled in.

Anyway, I like the box.

You are lucky your speedo wasn't "off", or some other malfunction. No system is perfect. I am a firm believer that some coroboration(sp?) should be required.

I believe the owner should not be able to self-incriminate him/herself.

Worktruck · May 22, 2003

If I am not mistaken these "black boxes" also record highest achieved rpm, highest achieved speed, as well as throtle positions and shift habit etc. This from a GM service writer, I guess they stealers use this info to deny some warranty issues.

Shaners · May 22, 2003

If I am not mistaken these "black boxes" also record highest achieved rpm, highest achieved speed, as well as throtle positions and shift habit etc. This from a GM service writer, I guess they stealers use this info to deny some warranty issues.

If that's the case then my black box has seen the rev limiter, but not the speed limiter. I've bounced my 6.0L off the rev limiter in "park" before, because I was hearing a warm Knock in the motor. It actually cleared it up!!!

sonjaab · May 23, 2003

The new GM sneaky box is only installed in new Corvettes and ( i think) some Caddys. In the Vette

it is under the drivers seat. Not in trucks yet !

carguru · May 23, 2003

As one of the posts earlier said, all GM vehicles with airbags have the "black boxes", not just 'vettes and Caddys. The info is intended to be used by the auto manufacturers to model real world situations better (air bag deployments, abs, speeds, etc) to create better safety features.

HillHound · May 23, 2003

My '03 F250 has one. How do I know? It says so in the owner's manual, which refers to it as an "event data recorder". It records recent speeds, engine rpm, brake function and other data. Some of which might be pertinent in helping a tech diagnose a problem. I have mixed opinions about them but we're stuck with them-I'm sure the auto insurance industry as alot to do with these things becoming standard on new autos for obvious reasons.

AllGMV8 · May 23, 2003

I read that some car rental companies, I think on the West Coast, actually ARE using these boxes (or the same technology) in "transmit" mode. They say it's so they can locate their cars should they not be returned on time. They also acknowledge that they can and do assess $$$ penalties to people that drive them outside "normal" driving boundaries, as in max-G turns and/or high speeds.

I'm all for using the boxes to make sure the truth is told in court, where it should be anyways, but I'm definitely not a fan of being monitored in realtime.

Worst-case scenario... "Let's see, on your business trip you took our car to Baconville for breakfast, hit Greaseburger Emporium for lunch and then Hoggie Heaven for dinner. You exceeded the posted speed limit by 5+MPH 75% of the time the car was running".

- The cops are waiting, ticket(s) in hand, when you turn the car in.

- The car rental place fines you for abusing their car (grease farts in the seat or speeding, take your pick as to the reason).

- You get a bill from your health insurance company the next week for being likely to fall over dead from a heart attack, and

- You get a bill from your car insurance company the week after that for being a reckless driver.

The above was meant to be amusing and I am not trying to advocate paranoia, but if you think about it, it could happen someday. Maybe not here in America to this extent, but the technology makes it possible.

Adam

sonjaab · May 23, 2003

Stop by some of the Vette threads.....A few of those guys are pissed about big brother watching them !

They mentioned the GM vehicles that have the black

box. They showed pics of one under the drivers seat. Trying to remember the link....will post !

YES...A rental car company in Calif. is using the "BOX"

I have read about renters turning in cars and then recieving surcharges from the rental car company for

speeding and such!

MarkD · May 23, 2003

Boy, I can really see a Vette owner being pi$$ed. "If I wanted something to do 0-60 in 45 seconds, I wouldn't have spent $45k"

Shaners · May 23, 2003

YES...A rental car company in Calif. is using the "BOX"
I have read about renters turning in cars and then recieving surcharges from the rental car company for

speeding and such!

I have heard that some rental car companies have a GPS tracking system on their cars. On some rental agreements you are not allowed to take the car across state lines. If you break that rule, then they will know it and will charge you big $$$.