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Yes, Your New Car Has A 'Black Box.' Where's The Off Switch?

NPR -- If you're a vehicle owner and happen to have a car accident in the near future (we hope you don't), it's likely the crash details will be recorded. Automotive "black boxes" are now built into more than 90 percent of new cars, and the government is considering making them mandatory.

Dave Wells, a detective at the King County Sheriff's Office in Washington state, specializes in accident reconstruction. That means he's often crouched under steering wheels, looking for the connector that mechanics use to get diagnostic codes. But Wells is using a different kind of tool, and it pulls out a very different kind of information.

Reading a sampling off his laptop, he says, "In the first 10 milliseconds they're up to a half-mile-per-hour acceleration."

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Submitted Mar 21, 2013 By: BurntOrange

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SkooterG Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,359 Points:330,085 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 4:06:49 AM Ignore SkooterG Report Abuse Scary stuff. Big Brother is here.
AmmoManAaron All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:551 Points:134,315 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 6:09:50 PM Ignore AmmoManAaron Report Abuse My car, my business, my privacy. There should be an off switch.
sydb7 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,563 Points:1,920,900 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 4:34:54 PM Ignore sydb7 Report Abuse Big Brother is watching! Any information will be used against you! [Edited by: sydb7 at 3/21/2013 4:36:19 PM EST]
GenChick Sophomore Author Ontario Posts:200 Points:507,235 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 4:29:17 PM Ignore GenChick Report Abuse I would suggest that data would be only kept by black box for maximum two days!!! I don’t want all my life to be recorded and used against me by insurance company to deny my claim!!!
Double_Golden Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,575 Points:608,310 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 4:10:33 PM Ignore Double_Golden Report Abuse yes, I need the off switch, I don't want to be monitoring how am I driving around...
wamster Champion Author Houston Posts:4,274 Points:697,105 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:57:26 PM Ignore wamster Report Abuse I have one in my 2010 vehicle. I agree with WillyG's comment. My husband was involved in a seven car pile up. He rear ended a pickup truck with little damage to the truck, but our hood was caved into the radiator. Before cell phones were around; he carried a camera in the car. He took pictures of both vehicles. When the truck's insurer told us the caved in damage to the truck was expensive and the driver was hurt; we were wondering what happened. Apparently the truck owner took a sledge hammer to the back of his truck and tried to blame the damage on us. My husband sent the photographs to our insurance company. They apologized and said not only were they not going to pay for the damage to the guy's truck; they were also filing charges against him for filing a false insurance claim.
MDTDriver Champion Author California Posts:9,739 Points:2,157,570 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:55:36 PM Ignore MDTDriver Report Abuse No new cars for me.
briinnc Champion Author North Carolina Posts:2,705 Points:834,820 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:50:46 PM Ignore briinnc Report Abuse Until we make political candidates sign upfront for what they're standing for, and sue them in a court of law if they don't, we're going to get bug brother into every detail of our lives.
njerald Champion Author Seattle Posts:7,844 Points:1,626,375 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:49:18 PM Ignore njerald Report Abuse Nothing new except to low information drivers...........
geezrtek Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,922 Points:432,410 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:48:50 PM Ignore geezrtek Report Abuse Big Brother is here.
myambro Champion Author Sacramento Posts:3,209 Points:1,055,400 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:48:34 PM Ignore myambro Report Abuse Gov't does not have a right to this info.
RobertSpratt Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:4,850 Points:1,047,940 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:44:21 PM Ignore RobertSpratt Report Abuse Huh, I thought she was a natural red head.
jl1rp Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,832 Points:360,355 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:43:39 PM Ignore jl1rp Report Abuse We are in the big brother state now and it's just getting started.
LtRTH Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,791 Points:587,950 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:43:27 PM Ignore LtRTH Report Abuse I don't have a problem with these if they are only used during the investigation of a fatal accident or an assault where the vehicle is used as a weapon. Problem is that such restricted use won't be the case.
Gramps001 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:5,872 Points:1,367,565 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:42:51 PM Ignore Gramps001 Report Abuse WE need a 'Black Box' that will save US from Gov't!
jony Champion Author Florida Posts:7,341 Points:1,634,740 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:42:42 PM Ignore jony Report Abuse not mine, I have no new car
snell snail Champion Author Atlanta Posts:5,038 Points:2,600,525 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:39:53 PM Ignore snell snail Report Abuse ...thank you NPR...upload all data..........
webrider Champion Author Austin Posts:9,173 Points:1,694,150 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:38:45 PM Ignore webrider Report Abuse Orwell could read the tendencies of the libs, and new them well.
rjoeh Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,091 Points:2,472,915 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:38:27 PM Ignore rjoeh Report Abuse I can see the positive and negative sides of these devices. Until the privacy issues are cleared up with justification... the right to turn them off should belong to the owner or at least give them the right to control how the data is used.
goblueia Sophomore Author Iowa Posts:110 Points:347,960 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:37:52 PM Ignore goblueia Report Abuse Big brother watching again. The prelude to gps for charging taxes for miles traveled.
jcallaw All-Star Author Houston Posts:647 Points:245,775 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:37:46 PM Ignore jcallaw Report Abuse Doesn't bother me.....
WillyG Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,568 Points:909,015 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:37:35 PM Ignore WillyG Report Abuse That's good ! It'll keep a lot of dishonest drivers honest. I'm sick and tired of the drivers causing accidents and lying through their teeth about the facts.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,392 Points:3,454,565 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:31:28 PM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse probably be a few years before the black box appears on bicycles
mahkokhan All-Star Author British Columbia Posts:652 Points:108,895 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:30:53 PM Ignore mahkokhan Report Abuse very good
peakkeller Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:1,696 Points:779,075 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:28:50 PM Ignore peakkeller Report Abuse Interesting
montytexas Champion Author Houston Posts:2,914 Points:1,413,740 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:25:00 PM Ignore montytexas Report Abuse I'm trying to avoid accidents by trying to avoid all the distracted drivers....HELP !!!
HamiltonTwpNJ Veteran Author Trenton Posts:253 Points:83,415 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:23:53 PM Ignore HamiltonTwpNJ Report Abuse It sure is one way to actually fine out how is at fault.
bullseye100 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,439 Points:587,130 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:23:51 PM Ignore bullseye100 Report Abuse We don't need any more Big Brother in this country. If I wanted to live as a communist, I would move to China.
Beboper Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,742 Points:2,166,715 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:22:02 PM Ignore Beboper Report Abuse whats the big deal
rodzilla123 Champion Author San Diego Posts:4,415 Points:1,037,290 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:21:02 PM Ignore rodzilla123 Report Abuse More of Big Brother Intruding into peoples lives. OMG I long for the 1950's and a simpler easier life!!!
Suzzoom Champion Author Nevada Posts:2,383 Points:508,315 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:19:25 PM Ignore Suzzoom Report Abuse It will only become more invasive. And what if it malfunctions?
CTarp Champion Author Texas Posts:1,236 Points:610,520 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:12:21 PM Ignore CTarp Report Abuse Mine has one. What is the big deal?
marlita Champion Author Dayton Posts:3,312 Points:785,130 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:09:09 PM Ignore marlita Report Abuse And the prices of cars keep climbing.
caddilac Champion Author Ontario Posts:16,622 Points:2,142,630 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:08:06 PM Ignore caddilac Report Abuse Interesting.
willp99 All-Star Author San Diego Posts:747 Points:756,070 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:08:03 PM Ignore willp99 Report Abuse Orwellian State is here
DancingDee Champion Author Gary Posts:4,385 Points:1,056,910 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:08:00 PM Ignore DancingDee Report Abuse Well I don't have anywhere near a new car, so that counts me out.
fulldawg Champion Author Georgia Posts:7,113 Points:951,210 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:08:00 PM Ignore fulldawg Report Abuse Your rights went away with the Bush "Patriot Act" only to be continued by the current administration. Big Bro is here, live with it....
Boilermat Veteran Author Indiana Posts:415 Points:578,800 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:07:50 PM Ignore Boilermat Report Abuse understand a black box in a commercial airliner or any other form of public transportation, but leave it out for privately owned/operated vehicles.
redtruckaz Veteran Author Phoenix Posts:352 Points:119,415 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:04:36 PM Ignore redtruckaz Report Abuse Yes all new cars have black boxes. Some Rental companies check the box after you retun the car to see if you left the state and how fast you drove. If you drove over the speed limit they have and can report you the police and put you on a black list for renting from them again.
mister_russ Champion Author Florida Posts:1,171 Points:296,800 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:02:13 PM Ignore mister_russ Report Abuse As long as the data can't be accessed remotely and it is encrypted, I'm OK with it. Wait what's that? It's not encrypted and ANYONE can access your data while it's in the shop? How long will it be before insurance companies will pay a bounty for freelance intelligence on drivers from repair shops when no one is looking? Sound far fetched? Ten years ago, did you worry someone would hack your Face-book account? Sleep well.
CAD69 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:3,221 Points:849,165 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:01:29 PM Ignore CAD69 Report Abuse What can we do?
car54BC Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,327 Points:1,258,505 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:01:03 PM Ignore car54BC Report Abuse Is it orange as well ?
geeeeeeg Sophomore Author San Francisco Posts:136 Points:166,285 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 2:59:32 PM Ignore geeeeeeg Report Abuse big brother get bigger
mrselfdestruct Champion Author Arkansas Posts:1,014 Points:170,525 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 2:57:08 PM Ignore mrselfdestruct Report Abuse It's none of their business, until you use your car as a weapon. So as long as they have to dig the info out a wrecked car I'm ok with this.
sdiddydaddy Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,101 Points:397,895 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 2:55:37 PM Ignore sdiddydaddy Report Abuse Just make the whole car out of the black box.
sdiddydaddy Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,101 Points:397,895 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 2:55:19 PM Ignore sdiddydaddy Report Abuse Hopefully this helps solve complex accidents. Not sure what else it will do though.
RBob Champion Author Portland Posts:3,389 Points:2,350,800 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 2:54:53 PM Ignore RBob Report Abuse Love it. Just wish the truck that T-boned me had one.
EssexAdri Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,149 Points:280,690 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 2:51:23 PM Ignore EssexAdri Report Abuse more people die every year in auto crashes than in plane crashes, and "black boxes" have been required on all planes for decades. I'm all for privacy, and I don't like big brother looking over my shoulder all the time, but there comes a point where yours and other's physical &/or mental safety trumps personal privacy. Personal privacy no longer applies when the safety of others or self-destructive behavior, which potentially generate or lead to harm to others comes into play. Suck up your bellyaching, moaning, and complaining. The First & Fifth Amendments do not give you the right to harm others.
GenChick Sophomore Author Ontario Posts:200 Points:507,235 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 2:46:55 PM Ignore GenChick Report Abuse Soon they will make a good excuse and put the chip in our body!!!
munkeyciao Veteran Author Quad Cities Posts:266 Points:160,825 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 2:46:02 PM Ignore munkeyciao Report Abuse Why's it such a big deal?