'Black box' reveals all about how you drive

Tacoma News Tribune ^ | June 29th, 2003 | MATTHEW FORDAHL

[microgood]

Big Brother is watching.

[Parley Baer]

Maybe the manufacturors are trying to protect themselves from lawsuits. This is the first I have heard of a "blackbox" in an automobile. Parley

[GladesGuru]

And recording. In a court accceptable form, too.

[EggsAckley]

"Voices are not recorded."................yet.

[Batrachian]

Things will get interesting when they combine these devices with tranceivers and start real-time monitoring.

[Dark Wing]

I think you will find this of interest.

[TheSpottedOwl]

My only question is how do you disable the damn thing? Not that I drive crazy or anything....

[thinktwice]

As you kiss your rights goodbye, you -- as a defendant -- should know that the very best way to enter a courtroom is on your knees, with head bowed, with hands clasped before you.

[c-b 1]

My only question is how do you disable the damn thing? Not that I drive crazy or anything....

You don't it is integrated into the electronic control modules.

[bluesagewoman]

I don't know. We always say driving is a privilege. It would have been nice to have had proof when I was hurt in an accident and the other car was speeding. Spending months waiting for bones to heal and metal rods to be taken out is pretty rough. Fighting for the at-fault person to accept responsibility is more difficult and takes years. When it comes down to he-said, she-said, a little proof would go a long way.

I've known for years those "black boxes" were in newer cars. Ignorance isn't a defense against other acts. Maybe some of the more aggressive drivers will drive more responsibly if they know their every action is being recorded and if they kill or maim someone, they will get to pay a few medical expenses. Much as I hate big-brother stuff, we live in a world where many folks excuse everything. I'll have to think about the good and the bad on this subject before I declare it as interferring in my privacy.

[PMCarey]

I don't have any problem with this. Why is it a violation of my rights to have a black box recorder in my car?

[zebra 2]

In what type of vehicle are the devices installed? Rental, Lease, Outright purchase? All?

[microgood]

Why is it a violation of my rights to have a black box recorder in my car?

I wonder if the future will bring automatic wireless ticketing when your speed exceeds the speed limit?

[Sunshine Sister]

He has been for a long time. This is just another method to snoop.

[DannyTN]

Anybody know how to find out if your vehicle has one of these?

[liberalnot]

until more information arrives, i have no problem with this.

i drive conservatively. this does not mean that occasionally i'm over the speed limit--meaning within 5 miles above, but on the whole i attempt to drive as i was taught by my father and drivers' ed in high school.

this will be bad news for people who drive badly. for example, the guy that exited from a 12-lane freeway the other day in los angeles in front of us from the 6th lane on the inside. he or she zipped across all 6 lanes at a high rate of speed, in a wide arc, and weaving in between cars, endangering all of us. if there were an accident, his box would indicate his errors.

[DannyTN]

"Why is it a violation of my rights to have a black box recorder in my car? "

For the same reason that the government camera that you don't know about in your bedroom is a violation of your rights. No warrant to collect information on you and no informed consent that they are doing it. It violates the "unreasonable search" clause.

[Ben Bolt]

Not in my car . You remember the muscle cars of the 70's ?

[Abogado]

If I remember correctly, 1999 was the year that GM began installing data recorders in mass produced vehicles sold to the public. As an aside, I understand that Chrysler products have a hidden digital odometer recording in a control module that can be used to verify actual milage on a vehicle.

[July 4th]

My only question is how do you disable the damn thing?

After you get in an accident, set fire to your car.