[A/S] Crash Data Recorders in recent vehicles

[Jerry Flanders <jeflanders@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I ran across the following link earlier today. I remember hearing something 
about this a few months ago but didn't see concrete proof until now.

I don't know if the recorded information will be used in a good way, or a 
bad way, but certainly it could be used in SOME way in the event of a 
crash. I suspect it was included so that highway engineers could ultimately 
make our vehicles safer. But I can't help but wonder if it might also be 
available to the lawyer of someone in a crash lawsuit.

Lots of GM vehicles have them. Only a few Fords. No Dodges yet.

A listing of vehicles having them, and a list of the data streams recorded 
and saved for later analysis after a crash ( I am guessing that means bag 
deployment) is at:

http://www.harristechnical.com/downloads/cdrlist.pdf

For example, 2003 Chevrolet Silverado and Suburban models record and 
apparently can later report on:

Vehicle speed, engine speed, throttle setting, whether brakes were applied, 
seat belt status, and several other parameters of interest - some a few 
seconds before and some right after the crash.

Jerry 4404