Having investigated many automobile accidents, one consistent fact emerges. There are always multiple accounts. Everyone tends to describe an accident to his own advantage. A device that tracks certain events is useful not only in determining what happened in a particular accident, but also in preventing others. We often have lawsuits predicated on an array of prevarication, and, innocent people suffer. This would help to quell some of that unjust and hurtful legal chicanery. One cannot have a system in which people are allowed to opt out. That makes a sham of the endeavor.
One cannot opt out of airport screening. Airline security is obtrusive, frustrating and laborious. It interferes with one\’s ability to move about freely and enjoyably. It hampers the economy. Installation of black boxes in autos suffers from none of those faults. While it does represent an additional cost to the automobile manufacturer and ultimately the consumer, the cost savings to society will well outweigh those initial outlays.
Interesting that they are awaiting 2011 to tell consumers that their activity is monitored by manufacturers for study related information. I\’m all for improvements for the benefit of society – but at what cost? If it is MY vehicle, then I should have an option to opt out – if they want to give me the vehicle – then I would reconsider.
Everyone knows that when a plane crashes, the first thing the NTSB looks for are the black boxes.
There are very few people that would ever suggest that we take the boxes out of planes. But cars are our own space. We wash our cars, pay for them each month, insure them- they are ours. We don\’t like the idea of them spying on us.
This is particularly true when we are not told up-front that the car we just bought has one of these boxes inside.
As a claim adjuster, I rarely hear the facts of how an accident really took place. Most of the time I get both sides, review the police report and talk to any possible witnesses before I can finalize a liability position.
Sometimes you would think that you are talking about two seperate accidents the way people skew what happened. I am all for the black boxes, it should force people to take responsibility for their actions. Those who drive safely will win in the long run. The only people who should be concerned is those who are speeding and swerving all over the road.
Black boxes might also have a proactive effect on driving behavior. It seems likely that many drivers would adjust their habits if they were aware that they were being recorded. This by itself could be a benefit to everyone on the road.
As has been noted, the implications for underwriting and claims adjusting are immense.
But it does not make sense that drivers currently aren\’t notified about the presence of a black box in their own cars. In many other areas of our lives, we\’re made aware if a third party is collecting and analyzing data on our behavior (even if it\’s in unreadably small print). Why wouldn\’t drivers be told if their actions on the road are being recorded?
gk: Comparing black boxes to airport screening? Not parallel. Security screening is a preventative measure against intentional acts of mayhem. EDRs tell a tale after an event and do nothing to prevent it. We could compare them to… ummm… Black Boxes! Note: nobody has suggested that those be removed from commercial airliners, but as was previously pointed out, common carriers are different and fall under the jurisdiction of the NTSB – my car does not.
Agree: You frighten me. If you\’re a good driver, you have nothing to worry about? Is that anything like, \”Trust us – We\’re from the government?\”
Many folks may never know if their vehicle has one, since many don\’t read their owner\’s manual. Some may simply try to disconnect it. Would the vehicle operate normally without it in place?
The fact is, we can already use black boxes to do anything from detect cell phone signals within the vehicle, to record conversations that occur in the vehicle. These applications are not currently being used, but they could be activated at any time. All the data can then be transmitted on an on-going basis by satellite to the proper authorities. This all may be necessary for national security at some point. Remember, driving is a privilage, therefore, the government has a right, better yet, an obligation to monitor your activity for the good of society. The world has changed since 911, and since then the Bush administration has been helping people to see that freedom is over rated. We are better off being safe at all costs.
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Having investigated many automobile accidents, one consistent fact emerges. There are always multiple accounts. Everyone tends to describe an accident to his own advantage. A device that tracks certain events is useful not only in determining what happened in a particular accident, but also in preventing others. We often have lawsuits predicated on an array of prevarication, and, innocent people suffer. This would help to quell some of that unjust and hurtful legal chicanery. One cannot have a system in which people are allowed to opt out. That makes a sham of the endeavor.
One cannot opt out of airport screening. Airline security is obtrusive, frustrating and laborious. It interferes with one\’s ability to move about freely and enjoyably. It hampers the economy. Installation of black boxes in autos suffers from none of those faults. While it does represent an additional cost to the automobile manufacturer and ultimately the consumer, the cost savings to society will well outweigh those initial outlays.
Interesting that they are awaiting 2011 to tell consumers that their activity is monitored by manufacturers for study related information. I\’m all for improvements for the benefit of society – but at what cost? If it is MY vehicle, then I should have an option to opt out – if they want to give me the vehicle – then I would reconsider.
Everyone knows that when a plane crashes, the first thing the NTSB looks for are the black boxes.
There are very few people that would ever suggest that we take the boxes out of planes. But cars are our own space. We wash our cars, pay for them each month, insure them- they are ours. We don\’t like the idea of them spying on us.
This is particularly true when we are not told up-front that the car we just bought has one of these boxes inside.
Larry Lubell
http://www.urbaninsuranceagency.com
As a claim adjuster, I rarely hear the facts of how an accident really took place. Most of the time I get both sides, review the police report and talk to any possible witnesses before I can finalize a liability position.
Sometimes you would think that you are talking about two seperate accidents the way people skew what happened. I am all for the black boxes, it should force people to take responsibility for their actions. Those who drive safely will win in the long run. The only people who should be concerned is those who are speeding and swerving all over the road.
Black boxes might also have a proactive effect on driving behavior. It seems likely that many drivers would adjust their habits if they were aware that they were being recorded. This by itself could be a benefit to everyone on the road.
As has been noted, the implications for underwriting and claims adjusting are immense.
But it does not make sense that drivers currently aren\’t notified about the presence of a black box in their own cars. In many other areas of our lives, we\’re made aware if a third party is collecting and analyzing data on our behavior (even if it\’s in unreadably small print). Why wouldn\’t drivers be told if their actions on the road are being recorded?
Sorry. You\’re both wrong.
gk: Comparing black boxes to airport screening? Not parallel. Security screening is a preventative measure against intentional acts of mayhem. EDRs tell a tale after an event and do nothing to prevent it. We could compare them to… ummm… Black Boxes! Note: nobody has suggested that those be removed from commercial airliners, but as was previously pointed out, common carriers are different and fall under the jurisdiction of the NTSB – my car does not.
Agree: You frighten me. If you\’re a good driver, you have nothing to worry about? Is that anything like, \”Trust us – We\’re from the government?\”
Many folks may never know if their vehicle has one, since many don\’t read their owner\’s manual. Some may simply try to disconnect it. Would the vehicle operate normally without it in place?
The fact is, we can already use black boxes to do anything from detect cell phone signals within the vehicle, to record conversations that occur in the vehicle. These applications are not currently being used, but they could be activated at any time. All the data can then be transmitted on an on-going basis by satellite to the proper authorities. This all may be necessary for national security at some point. Remember, driving is a privilage, therefore, the government has a right, better yet, an obligation to monitor your activity for the good of society. The world has changed since 911, and since then the Bush administration has been helping people to see that freedom is over rated. We are better off being safe at all costs.
~Sniff Sniff~… PLEASE tell me I smell sarcasm. =) Hee hee hee!