Cars must carry a black box from July: what it is and what it is for

Minimize road fatalities. This is one of the objectives set by the European Union. To do this, it has turned to a great ally: technology, specifically the well-known black box but in a format for passenger cars. They call it a data logger.

This element will have a function very similar to that of airplanes, since it will be essential to provide data that helps to reconstruct the events prior to an accident. This information will help the European body to analyze incidents to prevent them from occurring in the future and thus fulfill its purpose: to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities to a minimum. Thus, collect data “shortly before, during and immediately after a collision”according to a regulation approved in 2019. They will do so, for example, activated by the deployment of an airbag and will collect what happens during the 30 seconds before and 5 after the incident.

When will it be mandatory to include the data logger in passenger cars?

According to the regulation, new homologation passenger cars must integrate a “data recorder” from July 6. If not, they will not receive the homologation to circulate in Europe. Of course, the obligation will be extended two years later, in 2024: the device will be necessary in all new cars that leave dealerships.

What data will the car black box collect?

As indicated in said document, they will include figures such as the speed of the vehicle, the braking, the position and the inclination of the vehicle on the road. Also the status and activation speed of all your safety systems, the eCall system based on the 112 number integrated in the vehicles, the activation of the brakes and any other relevant input parameter referring to the active safety systems on board and accident prevention. In addition, the entity indicates that said “data will have a high level of precision and guarantee of durability.” They will make it possible to identify the precise type, variant and version of the vehicle as well as the active safety and accident prevention systems installed.

Yes indeed, Brussels indicates that data collection cannot be deactivated and will be carried out completely anonymously. “An incident data logger may not record and store the last four digits of the vehicle indicator section corresponding to the vehicle identification number or any other information that may allow the identification of the specific vehicle in question, its owner or its its possessor.” In this sense, the recorded data may be made available to the national authorities, but only for the investigation and analysis of accidents without this implying a link between the driver and the information collected.