General Motors has officially backed Gene Green’s (D-TX) push to create a Federal mandate for the installation of Event Data Recorders (EDRs, also known as a black box) in future new vehicles. GM has been installing EDRs in every vehicle since 1995 as part of its airbag systems, and believes that a Federal mandate could help to analyze accidents and improve vehicle safety.
The topic of automotive automotive black boxes, or EDRs, has come into the public spotlight following the testimony of both victims of sudden unintended acceleration and Toyota executives responding to allegations that Toyota vehicles are suffering electronic-based unintended acceleration.
“GM will work with NHTSA, Congress and others on this issue, including taking the necessary steps to assure that important concerns about privacy are adequately addressed,” said Michael Robinson, vice president, environment, energy and safety policy.
A key issue that spawned the recent push for a Federal mandate and more defined legislation regarding EDRs was the discovery that Toyota was the only major automaker to have developed a unique system that could only be read by a single device. Where other automakers such as GM or Ford have systems that can be read with more universal and readily available scanners, Toyota explained that it has only one prototype device capable of reading vehicles’ black boxes for the entire U.S. market.
The original use of EDRs in automotive applications was related to diagnosing vehicle problems, rather than potential causes for accidents. The devices record only the last few to several seconds that a vehicle operates, and thus can reveal potentially incriminating or crucial information following a severe accident. Because of that fact, some fear that widespread and Federally mandated use could lead to an invasion of privacy – possibly going as far as giving law enforcement new ways to prove vehicle speed during routine traffic stops, or providing insurance companies with justification to void claims.
“Broad EDR application and collection of data will help save lives and prevent injuries,” said Robinson.
Currently, NHTSA has provided legislation that does not require EDRs to be installed in all new vehicles – but it does mandate some aspects of EDRs should they be optionally installed in a vehicle.
