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A black box, also known as the Event Data Recorder (EDR) for short, records all of the data during the flight of an airplane, such as air speed,altitude, and sound and voice transmissions. Typically, black boxes are anything but black. They are usually a bright color, which makes them easier to discover in the plane debris following a crash.
Almost everyone knows that airplanes have a black box. What you may not know, however, is that your car might also have one. This box, which is about the size of a bar of soap, is installed in about 70 percent of all new automobiles. It is unnoticeable and usually sits under your seat or dashboard, and it is activated when your vehicle’s airbags are set off.
The event data recorders, only record data in theseconds leading up to and after it senses your airbags are about to go off. The following information is recorded by the EDR:
* Engine speed
* Vehicle speed
* Throttle Position
* Brake Status
* If the passenger’s airbag is on or off
* If the driver’s seat belt is on or off
* If the IR Warning Lamp is off or on impact to airbag deployment
* Ignition cycle count at investigation
* Ignition cycle count at time of the crash
* Maximum velocity before deployment
* Velocity verse time for frontal airbag deployment
* Time from car impact to time of maximum velocity
* Time between the air bags about to deploy and deployment if it is within five seconds
Insurance carriers use this data to help assess crash information and configure automobile insurance rates. Police officers also use the data gathered by the box to reconstruct the events leading up to the accident.
General Motors has been installing black boxes in their vehicles since 1999, and several other vehicle manufacturers have been using them since 1996. Crash investigators, insurance carriers, law enforcement and government researchers say such data is essential to learning how to build safer automobiles. Privacy advocates say EDRs are a way to obtain information that can be used to incriminate people who have been in accidents.
Starting in 2011, auto manufactures will be required to let consumers know if their new vehicle includes an event data recorder, or “black box”. Car makers haven’t been forthcoming about information on the devices, so this is good news.
There are other instruments available to install on your car to help you receive Discount Auto Insurance. Progressive Insurance and IVOX Corporation have invented devises that monitor your driving habits at all times. So if you put in one of these devises, make sure when getting Free Insurance Quotes to inform your agent so he can add on the additional discount for you.
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