New Delhi: In the case of an airplane accident, investigative agencies use the black box to understand the cause of the accident. Now, such systems are becoming increasingly important in cars. The government has amended vehicle safety standards, including regulations related to the Event Data Recorder (EDR), also known as the car’s black box. New provisions have also been made to protect pedestrians, protect passengers during collisions, and prevent car theft.
How does the car’s black box work?
The EDR may sound like a separate device, but it’s integrated into the vehicle’s control system. This system also controls safety procedures like airbag deployment. When a car is hit hard or the airbags deploy, the EDR can store information from the moments surrounding the accident.
Information from speed to seat belts
EDR can record information such as vehicle speed, brake application, seat belts being fastened, and airbag deployment. It typically stores data for a few seconds of an accident. This does not mean the car records all of a car’s daily driving. The system also does not record occupant conversations or voices.
Assistance in accident investigation
Suppose a car collides with another vehicle. During the investigation, it’s crucial to determine the car’s speed before the accident and whether the driver applied the brakes. EDR data can help answer these questions. However, this data alone doesn’t fully reveal the cause of the accident. Factors like road conditions, weather, and the role of the other vehicle also need to be examined.
Emphasis on the safety of pedestrians and passengers
The revised safety standards aren’t just aimed at making post-crash investigations easier. They also include provisions to reduce injuries to pedestrians in car collisions, and also focus on improving occupant safety during frontal and side collisions.
New provisions to prevent car theft
The regulations also include provisions for systems such as alarms and immobilizers . Immobilizers prevent the engine from starting without the correct key or authorized means. This can make it difficult for would-be thieves to start the vehicle by unauthorized means.
When will the new safety rules come into effect?
Not all changes will come into effect on the same date. Some regulations have a deadline of October 2027, while others will come into effect in 2028 and 2029. Other provisions have deadlines set for 2031 and 2032. This will give car companies time to make the necessary changes.
EDR already in use in other countries
In China, EDRs were made mandatory in passenger cars from January 1, 2022. In Europe, it is also mandatory for new cars from 2022. According to estimates by the US agency NHTSA, approximately 96 percent of 2013 model cars already had EDRs.
Questions also arise on the privacy of data
Who will have access to EDR data is also a key issue. Privacy concerns have been raised in the US, as accident information can be used as evidence in court. There, this data is considered the property of the car owner, and access to it is prohibited without their permission. In India, it’s important to clarify who will be able to access this data and under what circumstances.
Bharat NCAP ratings will also be stricter
According to Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, the second phase of the Bharat NCAP will be implemented from October 2027. It allocates 20 out of 100 points for the safety of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. It should be noted that Bharat NCAP is a rating program for car safety, while EDR and other safety standards are part of vehicle regulations. Overall, the government’s goal is to make cars safer. This will help with accident investigations and improve safety for both occupants and road users.
