1/2/08-Big Brother might have his eye on black box data from vehicles, but a Kentucky state lawmaker wants to make it harder for the information to be used against drivers of passenger vehicles.
Sen. Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort, has prefiled legislation for consideration during the upcoming regular session that would require the disclosure of presence of “event data recorders,” or “black boxes” in the owner’s manual for vehicles.
Kentucky law now doesn’t require vehicle owners to be notified that vehicles are sold with EDRs. The boxes could include information on the vehicle’s speed, direction of travel, location, steering performance, braking performance, and seat-belt status and accident information.
Insurance companies, vehicle manufacturers and other interested third parties can access data after an accident. In many newer vehicles, the information is automatically uploaded to a communication center immediately following an accident, according to published reports.
The bill also would give owners control over any data collected.
Insurance companies and auto manufacturers would only be allowed to access the data with the owner’s consent or through a court order.
The bill can be considered during the session that begins Tuesday, Jan. 8.