By Dave Thompson
Bismarck, ND – It's called an "event data recorder" -- but it's more commonly known as a "black box."
Automobile manufacturers have installed these recorders in new vehicles -- and they collect data on such things as speed and other driving conditions -- if a driver gets into an accident.
But State Sen. Ray Holmberg (R-Grand Forks)is worried that such a "black box" may be used for other things. And he has introduced a bill, saying the data collected belongs to the driver -- and the driver can keep it away from the government or insurance companies.
Holmberg told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he knows those "black boxes" collect valuable information.
"My problem is that the boxes collect all kinds of data about driving habits, and can easily be altered to collect even more," said Holmberg. "What they can collect tomorrow, they will. While the technology has its legitimate uses, there is a feat that the data can be misused -- and if it can, it will be misused."
An insurance company lobbyist opposed the bill. Patrick Ward represents State Farm Insurance -- and he told the committee that the information a black box collects can be valuable in investigating accidents.
"We now have the technology that will tell us the speed of the vehicle, whether the seats were in use, whether the lights were on, and similra important accident reconstruction data," said Ward. "And this bill tries to suppress that useful information. We agree that privacy is important. But after an accident has occurred, and especially one where others have been injured, we should not suppress data useful in the search for the truth."
Holmberg originally wanted to give people the right to disconnect the "black boxes." But he says they may be tied to such things as airbag deployment and other electrical systems. So he told the committee he'd be willing to have the committee get rid of that part of the bill.
The committee did not take immediate action.