Do not open black boxes (Photo credit: G A R N E T) - Soon in your ride too?

Coming Soon To Your New Car: A Black Box Data Recorder | Digg Mynews.

Pending federal law would require the installation of ‘black box’ data recorders analogous to those in airplanes  for all new American automobiles as of the 2015 model year: thus very soon given how early a model year typically comes to market.  The bill passed in the Senate mandates implementation although cost per unit has not yet been determined.  The data would aid insurance companies determining the facts of an accident, and investigations into possible malfunctions like the recent Toyota accelerator issues.

Of note, such data would also be available to law enforcement and intelligence officers, perhaps even as you drive, showing exactly where you go in real-time.

Are we comfortable with this trend?  For me, not so much, I must admit.  Unless we form an opinion and contact Congress very soon, of course, it’s moot: they’ll ignore us (as people usually do when others say nothing to them).  They, so many voters, will be angry about it, ignoring their own responsibility as citizens and self-servingly blaming others for all their ills.

The western front of the United States Capitol. The Capitol serves as the seat of government for the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. It is located in Washington, D.C., on top of Capitol Hill at the east end of the National Mall. The building is marked by its central dome above a rotunda and two wings. It is an exemplar of the Neoclassical architecture style. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Is that you, my friend?  If so, what do you intend to do about it?  I’d like to know…