I guess I'm confused are you saying it takes a black box to figure out their lying in your above mentioned scenario? NOT! All of the statistics taken are just that. Automakers insurance companies & layers benefit more from these than those involved. At the point of the accident its too late. Its like listening to the black box of the airplane after the crash. 200 people dead and they aren't comming back. That portion adds no value. Data stored however may help the airline or manufacturer of the plane.
I can however agree with the box reducing the time of the investigation if it were procedure to do so. That way law enforcement could spend more time arresting bad guys and preventing incedent /accidents.
I definately agree with utilizing the box to disable the vehicle by law enforcement. Car chases endanger everyone in the area. I get frustrated each time I read or see where one has taken place. They are sensless. This method would be a great improvement over stop sticks as well.
All that said I agree with a limited use. Law enforcement & manufacturer only please... This isn't intended to ruffle any feathers it's only a viewpoint.

I knew they used one down here for a double fatality so I looked it up and came across this article which indicates that this technology was available back in 1992, guess what it was a vette.

http://www.rmi.gsu.edu/rmi/faculty/klein/RMI_3500/Readings/O ther/Auto_BlackBoxCourts.htm

 

 

 

 thats why I drive a 69 c3

The computer (Black Box) not only records the incident and afterwards, but it also stores information BEFORE the incident.

There is a rolling log of information.  As new is input, the oldest is dropped.  The result is enough information to see what happened before the accident.  Speed, gas, brake etc.

[QUOTE=mbarney]

I knew they used one down here for a double fatality so I looked it up and came across this article which indicates that this technology was available back in 1992, guess what it was a vette.

http://www.rmi.gsu.edu/rmi/faculty/klein/RMI_3500/Readings/O ther/Auto_BlackBoxCourts.htm 

[/QUOTE]

This quote sticks out on that paticular report...

" And there are limits to their usefulness. When NHTSA studied nearly 700 crashes in which vehicles had data recorders, there were problems retrieving the data in almost 40% of the cases.

Among the glitches: Crash-related failures of car electrical systems, software problems, and investigators inadequately trained in retrieving the data."

oh, that and...tha car in the report is a Trans-Am!

The National Transportation Safety Board recently divulged they had covertly funded a project with the US auto makers for the past five years, whereby the auto makers were installing black box voice recorders in four-wheel drive pickup trucks in an effort to determine, in fatal accidents, the circumstances in the last 15 seconds before the crash.

They were surprised to find in 44 of the 50 states the recorded last words of drivers in 61.2 percent of fatal crashes were, "Oh, crap!" Only the states of Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama and Texas were different. There, 89.3 percent of the final words were: "Hold my beer and watch this."

HEY!!!! That thar in-four-may-shun were 'posed tuh be con-fi-denshul!!! Dang!!!! Cain't trust nobuddy no mo...