If your car was produced since 1994 and certified after 2014, chances are it has a black box installed. They became mandated parts of every new car sold after this date.
There are laws regarding who has access to your black box data, and though these could change as technology progresses and methods of access improve, it’s essential that you know where you stand at any given moment.
What is a black box?
Your car black box may sound familiar. While typically associated with planes, black boxes also have applications on land. Car black boxes record driving behavior to reduce insurance premiums.
A black box is a small cylindrical device installed in your car by a trained engineer that cannot be opened and helps deter thieves. As it’s sealed, no one can tamper with or even see it, deterring thefts in this way.
They must also withstand many types of accidents. Accelerations up to 3,400 Gs, temperatures reaching up to 2,000 degrees F for an hour, and submersion in up to 20,000 feet of salt water must all be tested against.
How do black boxes work?
Car black boxes generate data that insurance companies use to set and monitor premiums based on driving behavior, making black box data especially helpful for young drivers whose premiums can be staggeringly expensive as it allows them to demonstrate they prioritize safety over taking unnecessary risks, and thus deserve lower premium rates. Black box data may also come in handy following an accident where fault is unclear or there’s some dispute as it could provide insight into who was at fault, or can confirm what actually caused it.
While myths persist about black boxes, such as that they will devalue your car or only benefit young drivers, their use is readily available and they work.
What are the benefits of having a black box?
Black boxes can help provide evidence that you were not texting or using your phone while driving, being distracted or impaired in some other way, and/or texting during an accident. They’re especially useful in cases in which another driver claims you caused it due to being on your phone or not paying attention.
Insurance policies can also help you become a better driver. Many insurers offer apps where drivers can view how they are driving and receive feedback; this enables you to target areas for improvement more efficiently.
Black boxes are typically installed by trained engineers and cannot be tampered with, making them unlikely to get stolen. Furthermore, you can have your insurer disconnect it remotely if your policy changes so no need to worry about losing it!
How do I know if my car has a black box?
Just like in airplanes, black boxes in cars collect data and display information regarding your speed, throttle position, brake application, airbag deployment, seatbelt use and steering angles approximately 20 seconds prior, during, and post crash. Accessing this data includes your car manufacturer, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as well as law enforcement authorities.
But just because they can access your data does not mean they can legally do so without your permission. Some states have laws stating that anyone wanting access to black box data must first obtain a court order.
Knowledge is power; knowing whether your car has a black box, who can legally access its data and how best to protect your privacy are essential in case an insurance company tries to blame you for an accident by alleging texting or phone use played a role in it. An experienced attorney will then be able to demonstrate otherwise.
What are the risks of having a black box?
Black boxes can save drivers up to PS1,137 each year on car insurance premiums; yet many young drivers are forgoing this opportunity due to privacy worries. Devices are available that block signals which make a black box believe you are not driving; however, its journey log will still record them! To prevent your bad driving habits being recorded permanently by it all you can stop driving altogether – or invest in one!
Some drivers worry that using their black box may expose them to speeding fines; however, as their data will only be relayed back to police upon being caught by a police officer or speed camera this won’t happen; any speeding instead will negatively impact your driving score and result in red journeys on your app – this will have an impact on future premium renewal costs.