PDF file of the official CHP report on the Sikes affair

There was no recorded throttle data in the Sikes case. Throttle data is recorded during airbag deployment, which did not happen for Sikes since there was no crash.

Tom

 

You mean accelerator position? They did said throttle is 100%.

But I still don't get it. What good is the data during the airbag deployment. They should have record all data at a continue basic all the time, over writing the oldest data when storage run out and stop recording (60 second) after the crash or switched off.

This is how a black box should work. They have to change their system.

 

I absolutely agree with you; however, we know some groups will fight it citing privacy concern

 

5 seconds is what NHTSA has mandated for 2012. Toyota was recording 5 seconds in 2004 according to some reports, but do not record all the data you would expect. For example in a 2008 Avalon court case, Toyota provided a log with the braking data empty. Toyota has been quite secretive about their edr data. The question really is whether toyota overwrites their data when the car power button is off but car is still active, in which case the data would be gone. Toyota does have a log of a high number of activations of the brakes while the throttle was activated. I read 100% throttle also, but many aspects of this case were reported incorrectly by the press and congressman issa's office.

 

Yeah, it has to be 100% throttle, at least most of the time, anyway in order for it to go 90+ mph over the long run so no data needed for that, just common sense

 

No, that was the New York case. You are getting the two cases confused. And yes, it was throttle position, not accelerator. With a drive-by-wire system the two are not directly connected. I don't believe the EDR involved in the New York crash recorded accelerator position.

They are. A new law has set requirements for automobile EDRs. In the past there was no requirement, and auto manufactures don't care for extra cost with no return.

Early Toyota EDRs recorded data at the time of the airbag deployment. Newer ones keep a three second buffer of data from before the deployment. I'm not sure of the standards for the new law, but I expect it will require a deeper buffer.

Tom

 

As far as the present and future state of automotive EDRs, I think that any recording length limitations are more likely to be a cost issue, rather than a privacy issue. The privacy argument has no leg to stand on.

Let's say an auto accident results in the death of a pedestrian. Why would the driver have any right to keep his actions behind the wheel a secret? EDR data may proove he drove inappropriately, or it may exonerate the driver.

If there's one iota of a privacy concern, then congress can pass a law stipulating that the EDR data may be recovered without consent only in the case of an accident, and at other times only with the written consent of the car's owner.

 

In my rather simple minded view, when you elect to drive your car on public roads, you give up some of your privacy, especially when it comes to breaking traffic laws. If you keep your vehicle on your own property, you are welcome to use it as you see fit.

Tom

 

Current law requires consent or a court order. That works for me in the example you gave. Unfortunately IMHO it also covers the case where the insurance company simply wants to deny your claim. If you're going 36 mph (even temporarily!) in a 35 mph, your claim can and probably will be denied- depending on the number of claims you have filed and/or your credit score. I follow the rules of road (too well for the people behind me) but I don't necessarily think insurers are that trustworthy. They wouldn't be pushing so hard for "black boxes" if it wasn't to save money. Yes it might exonerate me, but I have my doubts that that will matter to the insurers.