Black Boxes in Automobiles

[kenw]

Subject: FW: Black Boxes in Automobiles

 

 

Latest from Ed Forest.......

 

 

> Black Boxes in Automobiles:

>

> The National Transportation Safety Board recently divulged they had "covertly" funded a project with the U.S. automakers for the past 5 years, whereby the automakers were installing black-box voice recorders in 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and SUV's in an effort to determine in

fatal accidents, the circumstances in the last 15 seconds before the crash.

>

> They were surprised to find in 37 of the 50 states the recorded last words of drivers in 61.2 percent of fatal crashes were, "Oh SH*T !"

 

Only the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas and West Virginia were different, where 89.3 percent of the final words were:

>

> "Hold my beer, I'm gonna try somethin."

[Guest tx2sturgis]

[GeorgeS]

They are installed in many more vehicals, then is being divulged to the public.

 

If you get in an accident, the information on the box, also has speed, time, brakeing distance, etc etc. They can figure out from the information on the recorder, if you were in violation of any laws, at the time of the accident !!!

 

If you end up in court, as result of an accident, the Information On the Box, can get you in trouble, if box says you vioated a law leading up to the accident. !!!

 

The units do NOT show up on the Wireing Diagrams of the Vehicals either.

 

I think I read that GM was big on this. If you want to find the thing, you have to hunt for it in the vehical.

 

I also read somplace, that if you find it, and Unplug it, the vehical Will Not Run !!

 

I can't swear to that, but thats what I found, when researching the subject a couple of years ago.

 

But, don't be to concerned, Dingy Harry, and the New Saviour will take care of us ALL, we are in good hands !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Actually George...yes...there are recording capabilities in the ECM of most modern vehicles. Lawyers are using this info in courts, during litigation assigning blame. Of course, the thread starting post was a joke. As far as I know, none of them are capable of recording voice, which is what the joke was about.

 

The black box, data recorder, flight recorder, or ECM, as its called by different people, records the last 15 or maybe 30 seconds of telemetry from the vehicle. This includes things such as seatbelt use, hard braking, throttle position, headlights on, turn signals flashing, brake lights on, cruise, ABS sensors, and of course airbag deployment. Its not common knowledge, but this info can be downloaded by an insurance agency, attorneys, or law enforcement, to use as evidence in a court of law.

[friesman]

that was a great joke!!! I loved it, and I am not sure that its far from the truth in some cases, lol!

 

 

But in the real world:

I used to own a Mazda 3 and on the mazda forums it was discussed on several occasions that the ECM could hold up to 35 hours of driving info, as speed, acceleration and tach settings. Evidently it was used several times to disallow warranty claims and I remember one high profile accident case where the info was used to convict a guy of dangerous driving causing death, as they could prove the vehicle accelerated into the accident not braked.

As Mazda and Ford are very closely linked I would assume Ford is using the same system.

 

Brian

[GeorgeS]

If a vehical is stolen, I have also heard that, the mfg. can be contacted by law enforcement, and a Satilite Siginal, can activate the Transponder, and pin point the latitude, longtitude of the vehical.

 

I don't know if this is true, but I'm sure the units will be upgraded with that capability at some point.

[ediddy]

Yeah, you got me on that one. I was interested because in a few states Progressive is experimenting with these type devices and basing your insurance rates on how you drive. I know that Alabama has approved these but Georgia hasn't as of today.

[CrazyHorse]

They are installed in many more vehicals, then is being divulged to the public.

 

If you get in an accident, the information on the box, also has speed, time, brakeing distance, etc etc. They can figure out from the information on the recorder, if you were in violation of any laws, at the time of the accident !!!

 

If you end up in court, as result of an accident, the Information On the Box, can get you in trouble, if box says you vioated a law leading up to the accident. !!!

 

The units do NOT show up on the Wireing Diagrams of the Vehicals either.

 

I think I read that GM was big on this. If you want to find the thing, you have to hunt for it in the vehical.

 

I also read somplace, that if you find it, and Unplug it, the vehical Will Not Run !!

 

I can't swear to that, but thats what I found, when researching the subject a couple of years ago.

 

But, don't be to concerned, Dingy Harry, and the New Saviour will take care of us ALL, we are in good hands !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yes this is very true a friend of mine was in a severe accident where a vehicle blew through a light drag racing another at hit him. Friend in coma for a month. They used the black box from the offending vehicle to show his speed and whether he attempted to stop at light which he didnt. He got 10 million, 5 of which went to attorneys and medical bills. 23 surgeries later and a bunch of pain but functioning not worth it in my book.

[CrazyHorse]

Yeah, you got me on that one. I was interested because in a few states Progressive is experimenting with these type devices and basing your insurance rates on how you drive. I know that Alabama has approved these but Georgia hasn't as of today.

Yes they can tell what roads your speeding on.

[BuddyRich]

Yes they can tell what roads your speeding on.

Oh boy, Am I in trouble.

[Bubber]

Yes it is true boys and girls Ford has the black box in the F150 4x4 for sure since at least 2005.

 

My brother was involve in a colision that resulted in a death and the cops used the black box as evidence along with the sueing attorney.

Before anyone jumps to a conclution this was an accident due to losing control due to icey and slippery conditions not speeding.

 

Bottom line was because he was involved in a accident that a death occured he was found guilty and fined $8000.00.

[GS51]

Is see a lot of different information posted here but I would have to question all of it.

GM started installing the Black Box in select vehicles only about 10 years and never told anybody that they did it. they were tring to collect crash date to build a safer car.

Their was one case where the DA tried to use it to convict a guy It was droped before it ever went to a jury There is the question about who owned the box the vehicle owner on GM. then there was the informed consent to search not knowing the box was there consent could not be given and not asumed. because not all vehicles have the box the data would be of limited value for the police they would only have part of the information and citation based on the box would be questionable at best any good aternory would get it kicked on any number of reasions.

I would not be conserned about the Black Box as much as the GPS, you know they are there and most record trip data speed time ect. there was one case a few years ago that a guy got fined by a major rental car co. they fined him because the onboard GPS recorder his speed well over the legal limit. the fine was returned because only the goverment has the power to fine you. but I have heard thet they got around that now by charging a surcharge for unsafe driving if the GPS records you speed much over the legal limit. and most of the rental co's have GPS as part of the package.

[CrazyHorse]

Someone has to develop a black box fryer when your involved in an severe accident it destroys the black box.

[Pilot]

:rotfl: