I have looking at various sites and have not been able to tell if these are passive or active devices. An on-star type device the tells you where you are or just a record of your speed and other driving that can not retrieved remotely. 85% of new cars have them now.
This what the ones in GM cars now record. Other autos should be similar. I hope this is all the new will ones record.
EDRs record the following data:
Vehicle speed (five seconds before impact)
Engine speed (five seconds before impact)
Brake status (five seconds before impact)
Throttle position (five seconds before impact)
State of driver’s seat belt switch (On/Off)
Passenger’s airbag (On/Off)
IR Warning Lamp status (On/Off)
Time from vehicle impact to airbag deployment
Ignition cycle count at event time
Ignition cycle count at investigation
Maximum velocity for near-deployment event
Velocity vs. time for frontal airbag deployment event
Time from vehicle impact to time of maximum velocity
Time between near-deploy and deploy event (if within five seconds)