Appeals court says 'black boxes' in cars can be used

[Radar Roy]

Appeals court says 'black boxes' in cars can be used as evidence against drivers

By Paula McMahon
Staff Writer
Posted March 31 2005

The little "black box" in Edwin Matos' car is a reliable source of evidence that he was driving at more than three times the speed limit when he slammed into another vehicle and killed two teenage girls in Pembroke Pines, an appeals court ruled on Wednesday.

In what appears to be the nation's first such appellate ruling in a criminal case, the 4th District Court of Appeal agreed with the trial judge who allowed Broward prosecutors to use evidence gathered from the car's "black box" in Matos' 2003 trial.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/loc...fla-news-front

[SmaartAasSaabr]

Good thing the only black box in my car is a radar reciever!

[raresvx]

My friend got busted with a black box makes you wonder. One night he was coming home from work. He was going 55 in a 25mph zone. Lady ran a red and slammed into his pickup and died. They pulled the black box and found out he was speeding. Sentenced him to like 6 months in jail with work release. :roll: If he wasnt working he spent his time in jail weekends included. I havent been in the fargo jail. Its summer camp brand new building.

I wasnt there when he got into the accident. I dont think hes totally innocent 55 in a 25mph zone not cool! Even if the lady did run the red. Which they couldnt figure out. Just one of those things I like to ask God what happened.

[NooB1FieD]

Appeals court says 'black boxes' in cars can be used as evidence against drivers

By Paula McMahon
Staff Writer
Posted March 31 2005

The little "black box" in Edwin Matos' car is a reliable source of evidence that he was driving at more than three times the speed limit when he slammed into another vehicle and killed two teenage girls in Pembroke Pines, an appeals court ruled on Wednesday.

In what appears to be the nation's first such appellate ruling in a criminal case, the 4th District Court of Appeal agreed with the trial judge who allowed Broward prosecutors to use evidence gathered from the car's "black box" in Matos' 2003 trial.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/loc...fla-news-front

Next will be forums on how to remove/modify these "black boxes" I would be one of the first. (for better or for worse).

[SmaartAasSaabr]

I think it's integrated into the engine electronics. I think you'd need to cut a hole in your hood and put a Quadrajet on your plastic intake manifold...

[LiQuiDz]

I think it's integrated into the engine electronics. I think you'd need to cut a hole in your hood and put a Quadrajet on your plastic intake manifold...

you just need a grenade

[brick]

Forgot about this thread. That really rubs me the wrong way. It seems to me that if you own a vehicle you should not be convicted on evidence that you effectively collected yourself. That's bordering on a violation of the Fifth Ammendment. "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or infamous crime...nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself..."

I guess some sharp lawyer would have to establish that records made by oneself equate to testimony made on one's own behalf. Then, it would have to be established that this extends to records made automatically by personal property. (which could be done, maybe.) In this case, your "black-box" records would not be admissible in court except with your consent. I think it's plausible. Since it's a constitutional issue you could even fight to overturn any case-law that runs contrary to these principles. And if you're not in the US...beats the hell out of me!

[SmaartAasSaabr]

I think it's integrated into the engine electronics. I think you'd need to cut a hole in your hood and put a Quadrajet on your plastic intake manifold...

you just need a grenade

You could just buy an old Saab Turbo, conveniently I have one for sale :wink: :wink:

[synmoo]

I believe a significant amount of the 2005 line of onstar-equipped GM vehicles have this capability.Not sure if it's the onstar equipment or the ECU doing the logging though. I am almost certain that there is not a standalone TDR (traffic data recorder ) and that it is integrated into one of those units.

I know many cars with airbags will record the that enacted on the car in order for the bag(s) to deploy. I know my VW Jetta had plenty to say when I hit the wall nearly head-on doing 60. :-(

My friend got busted with a black box makes you wonder...
Even if the lady did run the red. Which they couldnt figure out. Just one of those things I like to ask God what happened.

If they hadn't pulled the box they would have never known he was speeding and it would have been her fault. From the information here, it was entirely her fault anyway! It'd be one thing if HE ran the red and plowed into her... But SHE ran the red and HIT HIM. His speed on the cross street had no influence on whether or not she went through the red.

If he had been going slower maybe he would have clipped her when she went through and been seriously injured himself... or maybe if he had been going 10 mph faster they would have missed...

Something is fishy about that story.

[jimbonzzz]

In my car and many other GM cars, the "flight recorder" is in the airbag control module...