Random thoughts

[JC Viper]

I was reading Time magazine and came upon an article about black boxes showing up in cars that records the data before an accident or sudden changes in the vehicle. In one case it was used to determine the true speed of an accident involving two teens, one in a Corvette the other a Mercedes, in which the Corvette collided with a Jeep killing two people inside it. The teens said they were doing 50 - 55 mph but the black box showed the speed to be 139 mph. Both were found racing and about to be charged with murder but took a plea deal to shorten the sentence to 3 years.

Another use of the black box was to let someone off the hook for a speeding ticket that was given under a false pretense.

Is this invasive or safe?

I feel that since I ride, any accident that should occur bike v.s. cage I can't rely on the cager to be completely truthful given past experiences. Then again there's the thrill of speed on a backroad or empty freeway.

/rant
This last paragraph is to blow off steam (taken from a posting in a paper in response to chinese killing 50K dogs i found insulting since I've heard this crap so many times with good spirits.):

"Kendall Park, NJ.: Maybe if the Chinese cooked the dogs thoroughly before eating them, they wouldn't be getting rabies and therefore wouldn't have to wipe out their food supply." John Testagamo (maybe a fat FVCK!! ) /end rant.

[MrGompers]

The black boxes in cars have been around since at least 2000. I think it invades privacy. Next thing you know insurance companies will be monitering your driving at all times and determining your rates based on that.

At least the black boxes in cars are public now. In the beginning the black boxes recording data were secret. i.e. buyers of new cars didn't even know they were there.

There was a class action lawsuit brought against GM on this very subject around 1999. Which is probably why this is public now.

My new car has a black box. If I am in an accident I will not be handing over the data unless they have a warrant.

As for bike safety I'm considering getting a video recording system set up. It can't be that expensive.

[Meanie]

Having a black box in the vehicle unknowingly, I'm against, of course. To have one knowingly, I like the idea for the very reason of the two teens you mentioned. Even in cases of accidents where the parties involved don't lie, there are statistical proofs of inaccuracy due to the lack of paying attention. Many people believe they were driving the proper way but other evidence as well as witnesses have proved otherwise. The black box would eliminate any discrepencies.

[CNF2002]

Why not just snip the wire on your black box if you dont like it?

I think these black boxes are fine, but like someone said...I think they should obtain a warrant to gather the data for use in court. If these kids were racing at 180mph and killed someone, thats not an 'accident'.

Then again, in such an accident your car typically goes to the repair shop/junk yard and is assessed by an insurance agent...while you might be in the hospital. What will prevent them from handing over the information?

[MrGompers]

Why not just snip the wire on your black box if you dont like it?

I think these black boxes are fine, but like someone said...I think they should obtain a warrant to gather the data for use in court. If these kids were racing at 180mph and killed someone, thats not an 'accident'.

Then again, in such an accident your car typically goes to the repair shop/junk yard and is assessed by an insurance agent...while you might be in the hospital. What will prevent them from handing over the information?

Tha black boxes are wired in such a way that if disconnected the car won't run.

The question about the junkyard is a good one. If the insurance company pays out your claim they now own the car and the data inside it. Now they don't need a warrant.

Which brings up another good question. If the police can not collect the black box data without a warrant. Can they get someone else to do it for them ? Based on a similar case I know of the answer is no.

This was the man issue in the Klaus Von Bulow murder case in Rhode Island. Altho, it didn't involve black boxes. Basically, what happened in that case is the step son went inside the house to collect a bag and later turned that bag over to the police. The state used that bag and its contents during the trial. KLaus was convicted mainly based on this evidence. The police asked the step son to collect the bag for them since they couldn't get a warrant to do it themselves.

Rhode Island Supreme Court overturned the verdict. US Supreme Court refused to hear the case on appeal. Klaus is free whether or not he's guilty.

[oldschoolorange]

the black box you are refering to is usualy incorporated into the airbag module and only records telemetry info for X amount of seconds before and after airbag deployment

[JC Viper]

Actually drastic changes in speed will cause the computer to record speed, brake use, and steerin input and will be purged if the airbag is not deployed.

[MrGompers]

the black box you are refering to is usualy incorporated into the airbag module and only records telemetry info for X amount of seconds before and after airbag deployment

For now.

[oldschoolorange]

the black box you are refering to is usualy incorporated into the airbag module and only records telemetry info for X amount of seconds before and after airbag deployment

For now.

true.. But beeing computer based someone will find a way around it

[NorthernPete]

I actually have a "black box" of sorts in my car, and I put it there. My insurance company has a program called Autograph, in which you install this little do dad into a port and leave it there for 3 moinths, it records when you drive, and how you drive (excessive breaking, which they term as slowing 10KM/hr in 1 second, and time spent driving over 120km/hr, which I did BTW while in ottawa, but it wasnt recorded as such.) It gives me a discount on my insurance (I just uploaded the other day and I'll be getting a 27% break on my next premiums..) I'll gladly let some one spy on my driving habits if itll save me some coin.