Because it is not always easy to determine the exact circumstances of a road accident, more and more recording devices aim to supplement the information collected from victims and witnesses.
For several years, we have seen the emergence of dashcams, these cameras installed on the dashboard, making it possible to record all the events taking place during the journey and which can therefore help insurers to establish the various responsibilities in the event of a claim.
A mandatory system from summer 2022
But while the collection of images is controversial, the European Union has decided to rely on technical data from vehicles to understand the circumstances of road accidents.
How ?
By equipping new cars with a black box!
Already widely publicized in the aviation sector, this device equipped with an electronic chip makes it possible to record driving parameters a few seconds before an accident.
The speed, the acceleration or braking phase, the engine speed, the inclination of the vehicle and the force of the collision are taken into account in particular, as is the use of the indicator and even the wearing of the seat belt.
So much data able to shed light on the situation 30 seconds before the accident and 10 seconds after the impact.
On the other hand, contrary to the black boxes of the planes, no sound is recorded here.
Your conversations inside the cabin will therefore remain strictly private.
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Under a regulation adopted in 2019 by the European Parliament, this type of box will have to be fitted to all new vehicles manufactured in the EU from July 6, 2022. After two years of transition, the black box will be mandatory for all new registrations from July 6, 2024. Second-hand models are therefore not affected.
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High-tech cars
More broadly, the European regulation of 2019 frames the technological leap of our cars.
In addition to the black box, it indeed imposes a whole series of automated safety devices in the new models, such as a warning system in the event of drowsiness at the wheel or distraction, emergency stop signals, the intelligent speed adaptation, an interface allowing the fitting of an alcohol ignition interlock device, reverse gear detection and tire pressure monitoring.
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