The Black Box in Your Car Is Already Monitoring How You Drive
Your vehicle is no longer just a means of transportation. For some time now, many new models incorporate an Event Data Recorder (EDR), a black box that operates continuously. This device captures and stores key parameters of your driving, preparing for a possible accident. 🚗💻
What Data Does the EDR Capture Exactly?
The EDR doesn't wait for an accident to start working. It records permanently, but only permanently retains the critical interval prior to a collision. The parameters it monitors are precise and numerous.
Information recorded by the black box:- Vehicle speed: Records the exact speed before impact.
- Accelerator position: Captures how much you pressed the accelerator.
- Brake force applied: Measures the intensity of the braking.
- Safety systems status: Such as the airbag or seatbelt.
The car is no longer yours; it's a connected snitch.
The Gateway to Your Driving Data
Current regulations require this information to be physically accessible through the vehicle's OBD port. This point is crucial because it transforms theoretically anonymous data into potentially exploitable information. Although European institutions assure it won't be used for sanctions, the legal framework allows third parties to access it.
Possible uses of EDR data:- Insurers: To investigate accidents and deny compensation if an infraction is detected.
- Authorities: As evidence to determine responsibilities in an accident.
- Future fines: The infrastructure for real-time fining is already in place.
The Complete Puzzle of Road Surveillance
The EDR is just one part of the system. The other fundamental piece is the Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), mandatory in the EU since July 2024. This system not only reads traffic signs but acts on vehicle control. First it warns you, and if you don't slow down, it can brake automatically. The stated goal is to increase safety, but the effect is absolute control over how you drive. 🚨
The strategy seems clear: introduce the technology for safety, make it mandatory, and finally activate the connection for real-time sanctions. You've bought a smart car, but it works like a radar that you pay for and that monitors you relentlessly. When combined with advanced electronic payment systems, the fine could be deducted automatically, without you being able to object.