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| Funny, it doesn't look black! |
White House okays Black Boxes for Vehicles
The White House Office of Management Budget said it has completed a review of the proposal to make so-called vehicle "black boxes" mandatory in all cars and trucks, clearing the way for NHTSA to publish its final regulation.
The agency has made it a priority to work toward a proposed standard that would mandate these devices on all passenger vehicles on the nation's roadways," NHTSA spokeswoman Lynda Tran said.
Already in 92% of Vehicles
NHTSA previously issued a new regulation standardizing data collection for event data recorders in August 2006, took effect for the 2013 model year that started Sept. 1, standardizes the information EDRs collect and makes retrieving the data easier. Devices must record 15 data elements, including vehicle deceleration, in specific formats.The recorders collect data for the seconds of a crash, including whether the driver is wearing a seatbelt, speed and whether the brakes were applied.
Mandating 100% compliance will cost automakers roughly 24 million to implement.
Its Only a Matter of Time
Given the rapid computerization of everything, exponential increases in memory capacity, and the integration of GPS into automotive computer brains, you know it's only a matter of time before location will be tracked as well. The question then becomes, who owns the data and what does the government have to do to access it?When will the first case arise where a motorist is cited for failing to wear a seatbelt after the fact from blackbox data?
Big Brother is Watching
What do you think about that?I think it's time I bought that '33 Ford three-window coupe I've always wanted.
Cheers!
~Finntann
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121206/AUTO01/212060440/NHTSA-gets-White-House-OK-mandate-vehicle-black-boxes-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
