All new cars from mid 2024 to come with a blackbox?

KUALA LUMPUR: So, just like planes have black boxes, cars in the European Union are about to get their own version. From July 2024, every new car registered in the EU has to come with an "Event Data Recorder" (EDR) – think of it as the car's own flight recorder.

This new rule isn't just for your average family car; it includes those M1 category vehicles, you know, the ones that can fit up to eight people plus the driver. And it's not leaving out the commercial N1 class vehicles either, like pickup trucks and vans that weigh under 3,500 kilograms (or about 7,716 pounds).

Here's the deal with the EDR: it's like a detective for car crashes. When an accident happens, figuring out who's at fault can be a real headache. The EDR steps in to clear up the confusion by recording crucial data right when things go sideways.

This gadget keeps track of a few key things for a short period – like the five seconds before a crash and 0.3 seconds after the impact. The European Commission has laid out what that the EDR should keep tabs on how fast you're going, acceleration, the car's position, and how the car's tilting on the road

It's not just about recording this stuff; it's got to be super accurate too. It'll also keep a record of the car's make and model, and all the gear it's got.

The EDR kicks into action automatically when things like airbags deploy or if there's a sudden change in speed – we're talking more than 8 km/h in just 0.15 seconds.

So, cars in the EU are about to get a serious tech upgrade. It's all about making the roads safer and sorting out those post-crash puzzles a whole lot easier.

Over in Malaysia, while we're not quite at the 'black box in every car' stage yet, DVRs (Digital Video Recorders) are becoming the go-to for Malaysian drivers. They're kind of like our own version of a black box, even though they're not as detailed. DVRs are getting super popular, with more and more drivers using them to record their road adventures.

They're handy for keeping track of what's happening on the road, especially if there's an unexpected incident. So, while it's not the full-on EDR setup the EU's rolling out, Malaysian drivers are still upping their game when it comes to keeping an eye on their drives.

They've become increasingly valuable in providing footage in various situations, like road accidents, disputes over traffic violations, and even capturing unexpected events.

Malaysian law enforcement and courts recognise dashcam footage as a legitimate form of evidence, provided it meets certain criteria for authenticity and relevance. This has led to a growing number of drivers installing DVRs in their vehicles, not just for safety and security but also as a reliable witness in case of legal or insurance-related issues.

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