Automotive "Black Boxes"
05-10-2007, 01:24 PM
#1
RIP
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Automotive "Black Boxes"
Information from Cnet for anyone who isn't aware of their existence.
Dear CNET members,
Last week'* community hot topic was about alternative fuels
for cars. Usually I don't make it a habit of doing two car
topics in a row, but I just couldn't pass this one up. You
folks have to check out this latest Security Watch column: Is
your car spying on you?, in which CNET editor Robert Vamosi
gives us the lowdown on the widespread use of black boxes
installed in most domestic cars produced since 2000.
Most of us know about the black boxes or data recorders in
commercial airplanes, which record data about the plane'*
every activity--including the recording of pilot
communications. While these car black boxes don't record
conversations in cars (thankfully), they do record just about
everything else about the car--from the traveling speed to
knowing if you have your seat belt on. I know data recorders
in airplanes prove to be extremely helpful in the event of
disaster and I can see it to be useful in car accidents,
where they can help assist investigating authorities in
getting a better understanding of what happened. But what if
the information from these devices is misused or abused? Or
used for commercial purposes--for example, insurance
companies tracking your driving behavior to set the cost of
your insurance premium? Did you know that some states are
considering the use of these devices to record mileage, and
thus impose an additional mileage tax? Where should the line
be drawn on privacy vs. public safety? This column has
sparked lots of opinions from both sides of the fence--where
some say this is over the line in violating privacy rights,
some say it'* about time these devices were put more fully
into practice. But what do you think? Are you concerned about
the potential uses of your car'* black box? Why or why not?
Read the column and see what other members are saying. When
you're ready, hit that Post comment button to tell us where
you stand with these black boxes in cars. We are all eagerly
anticipating your opinion!
Is your car spying on you?
http://ct.cnet-ssa.cnet.com/clicks?t...f2-bf&*=5&fs=0
Last week'* community hot topic was about alternative fuels
for cars. Usually I don't make it a habit of doing two car
topics in a row, but I just couldn't pass this one up. You
folks have to check out this latest Security Watch column: Is
your car spying on you?, in which CNET editor Robert Vamosi
gives us the lowdown on the widespread use of black boxes
installed in most domestic cars produced since 2000.
Most of us know about the black boxes or data recorders in
commercial airplanes, which record data about the plane'*
every activity--including the recording of pilot
communications. While these car black boxes don't record
conversations in cars (thankfully), they do record just about
everything else about the car--from the traveling speed to
knowing if you have your seat belt on. I know data recorders
in airplanes prove to be extremely helpful in the event of
disaster and I can see it to be useful in car accidents,
where they can help assist investigating authorities in
getting a better understanding of what happened. But what if
the information from these devices is misused or abused? Or
used for commercial purposes--for example, insurance
companies tracking your driving behavior to set the cost of
your insurance premium? Did you know that some states are
considering the use of these devices to record mileage, and
thus impose an additional mileage tax? Where should the line
be drawn on privacy vs. public safety? This column has
sparked lots of opinions from both sides of the fence--where
some say this is over the line in violating privacy rights,
some say it'* about time these devices were put more fully
into practice. But what do you think? Are you concerned about
the potential uses of your car'* black box? Why or why not?
Read the column and see what other members are saying. When
you're ready, hit that Post comment button to tell us where
you stand with these black boxes in cars. We are all eagerly
anticipating your opinion!
Is your car spying on you?
http://ct.cnet-ssa.cnet.com/clicks?t...f2-bf&*=5&fs=0
05-10-2007, 01:48 PM
#2
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After taking the SUV around a particularly gnarly set of cones, the OnStar button lit up and the speaker system offered a helpful voice to ask if everything was all right.
05-10-2007, 02:34 PM
#5
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
you guys heard about the corvette wreck and the black box controversy? kid was racing daddys corvette and wrecked into another car killing the other person and they looked at the box and it said he was going triple digits and that is why he got charged with vehicular manslaughter. The kicker is he claimed he was going 85 but the box is what convicted him
05-10-2007, 03:10 PM
#6
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Last I read, that is the only time the "black boxes" record data - when it appears there has been an accident (sudden stops/turns, airbag deployment, etc)
05-10-2007, 03:16 PM
#7
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
Originally Posted by harofreak00
After taking the SUV around a particularly gnarly set of cones, the OnStar button lit up and the speaker system offered a helpful voice to ask if everything was all right.
05-10-2007, 07:12 PM
#8
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Wouldn't things like this eleminate the need for a lot of cops?
Wouldn't have to worry about getting cited for normal things like running lights or stop signs.
Wouldn't have to worry about getting cited for normal things like running lights or stop signs.
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