Mandatory Black Box Installation in Cars
New Regulation in EU: Black Boxes Mandatory in Automobiles
A new regulation in the European Union (EU) will require automobiles to have a “black box” installed. The regulation will be valid in 27 EU countries from July of this year.
The regulation will cover N1 class vehicles weighing under 3,500 kilograms, which includes eight-seater cars, pick-up trucks, and vans in the M1 category. The EDR system will be embedded in the vehicles’ airbag system and cannot be turned off optionally. It will be activated when the airbag and seat belt sensors are triggered, as well as when the vehicle’s hood is opened and its speed increases by more than 8 kilometers per hour in 0.15 seconds.
The black boxes will collect data on speed, braking, position, vehicle vibration, and embedded safety systems. In case of an emergency, the vehicle will be able to call for help with the mandatory eCall system. All vehicle data recorded by the EDR system will be protected and can only be accessed by authorities in emergency situations to ensure the confidentiality of the driver’s data.
The regulation will cover countries such as Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
Interestingly, a similar legal proposal was made in the United States in 2012, but it was withdrawn in 2019. Work on a new law has been continuing in the US since 2022.
The implementation of the mandatory black boxes in automobiles aims to enhance safety and emergency response capabilities across the EU and will be a significant step towards a safer and more secure driving environment.
