It has come to my attention that late model cars are equipped with the equivalent of the "airplane black box." Whther it is available and to whom is up in the air. It will be be available to law enforcement in vehicular homicide cases. The question is will it be available to prove "driver error "in product liability cases and in setting insurance rates. Perhaps you have seen the Progressive Insurance company ads with the plug in devices..
Big Brother is watching you
- Thread starter Gregadd
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The black box was indeed used in the Toyota Prius case to show that the car was right, and the office who was killed thinking the car was accelerating by itself was sadly wrong. I say it is a good thing to have it as it is also a great diagnostic aid as to what may be wrong with the car.
I might not matter much. We're just a few years away from cars with distance sensors, cameras, servos and, of course, GPS, that will drive themselves. Accidents will only be the result of system or mechanical failure. Of course it might not happen. I imagine insurance companies will lobby strenuously to keep the technology off the streets. It could save millions of lives, but it would reduce the auto insurance industry to a tiny fraction of what it is today, with so little to insure against. Wish they could get it out there before my son turns 16...
Tim
Amir I have mixed emotions. I did not like DNA or video cameras at first. They have exonerated individuals who had no other hope oif proving their innocence. Unfortunately they have a mysterious habit of disappearing.
It has been argued that such evidence should be available to prevent future accident as is the case in Europe. But not admissible against the tortfeasor. Volvo makes an extensive examination of everyone of their cars involved in a fatal accident. American companies claim they don't do it because it would be used against them in a lawsuit.
Tim like vinyl cars without the device will be on the road for another 20 years. The ability of the average driver to get into an accident in spite of safety a devices is amazing.
The Supreme course just ruled that attaching a GPS device to a car requires a warrant. http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-1259.pdf look for a challenge ver soon.
Of course. I own a 14-year-old car that runs just fine. The question is when will the first self-driving cars get on the road, and what, if anything, will delay their introduction, safety concerns or money/politics?
It is. Perhaps the average driver's danger will finally be neutralized when he no longer has to drive. Or can. I would be 100% in favor of removing the ability to override the system from anyone convicted of driving impaired, reckless driving, speeding beyond a defined point, etc.....
Tim
HI
I had to study Latin when I was in what would be High School in the US system. I do remember this famous quotes from Juvenal :"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" in simple English:"Who's watching the watchers"? This is a fundamental question as technology does allow many things amongst them a "Big Brother". A the same time the pervasiveness of connections, the spread and availability of information and knowledge make such a central control virtually impossible for an homogeneous entity. We are seeing right now. The Cyber-attacks against the DoJ and other very well guarded site shows what the Internet has brough to the world citizen (another cause of concerns in itself)
We will however see misuse of the technology at times and the power that are will lobby hard to retain their prerogatives and cause mischief when they can .. I don't think it will last if we remain watchful and vigilant.
To end with a quotation from Andrew Jackson farewell Address,I do find powerful and taught to me by my father (He was an English Litterature Teacher) : "But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing. It behooves you, therefore, to be watchful in your States as well as in the Federal Government."
I had to study Latin when I was in what would be High School in the US system. I do remember this famous quotes from Juvenal :"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" in simple English:"Who's watching the watchers"? This is a fundamental question as technology does allow many things amongst them a "Big Brother". A the same time the pervasiveness of connections, the spread and availability of information and knowledge make such a central control virtually impossible for an homogeneous entity. We are seeing right now. The Cyber-attacks against the DoJ and other very well guarded site shows what the Internet has brough to the world citizen (another cause of concerns in itself)
We will however see misuse of the technology at times and the power that are will lobby hard to retain their prerogatives and cause mischief when they can .. I don't think it will last if we remain watchful and vigilant.
To end with a quotation from Andrew Jackson farewell Address,I do find powerful and taught to me by my father (He was an English Litterature Teacher) : "But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing. It behooves you, therefore, to be watchful in your States as well as in the Federal Government."
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