I'm guessing most of you know about "black boxes" in new cars now. See if your car has one...

http://www.crashdatainfo.com/_wsn/page3.html

I remember when I first heard about this and how many people were up in arms about it. But then I thought about how the speedometer in older cars would stop where it was at during an accident. This isn't all that much different.

I would be more concerned that the police would attempt to download crash data without your permission to determine your vehicle's speed. Unless you are being charged with a crime, I don't think the police have that authority, even if they are investigating an accident. IOW, I would tell them to get a warrant first. They need to show probable cause, I think. I'm no lawyer, but I think that they can't do that unless a criminal act was readily evident.

I'm not advocating less-than-above-board tactics, just trying to ensure that rights aren't violated. It would certainly be in one's best interest to be up front with the police...

I'm also more concerned about the drive-by-wire cars being shut down by frequency manipulation. I hope I never buy a car with that feature, as much as I'd like to have a Corvette. And I'm sure an EMP could damage a new car nowadays anyway, so bring back the Holleys!!!

Since this is a "general discussion area", all IMO.


First some people shouldn't have rights.

Second in my experience (just to clarify I have NEVER been arrested or in jail for any reason) cooperating with cops only does one thing. Lets them do their job much more easily, and screws you BIG TIME.

I don't give a damn how many times an officer asks me how fast I was going, because I'm NOT telling him.
The only time you won't get a ticket is when the officer doesn't want to do all the paper work. And that doesn't change no matter how cooperative you are. You will either get one or you wont.


For 3 years I planned to persue law enforcement.

I agree with the previous post.

I've had 28 tickets (yup, you read that correctly). And, I've been nice and a butthead. Both have had about equal results (of the times I've been given tickets, I've had lots of warnings as well). I will never say how fast I was going. If they pulled me over, they outta know already. I have pretty much stayed out of trouble for the last few years, but I used to get a ticket (or 2) every 6 months (if I needed it or not). Then I went 4 years, then got one (and pulled over again in the same night...warning) and 6 months later another. But, I think I'm back to my dry spell status.

If I total my car at any "unreasonable" speed, I'll probably pick up that box when I clean out my car and then forget where it ever went. I'd hate to suddenly get charged for an accident because they knew the airbags went off at 78 mph and not 65....

My thoughts.

Well speaking of big brother. Most of us f-body guys might not have this problem. But ON-STAR users beware. I've had a racer during the One Lap Of America Say that twice during the event, 1 high speed track(A track where you reach terminal speed(140+) 3 times during a lap, and another track that has alot of sustanied high G cornering have the On-Star activate and have an operator tell him he is exceding the design limits of the car and Slow Down.
There were 2 of these cars entered into the event one had factory backing the other did not. Think about it On-star can just about wipe your ass from there central location. If lets say he blew the motor and tried to bring it into for warranty work, You get my point. You guys might think Im BS on this one, but I have trust in this person with what he said. Later John

I'll have to try that with my truck.....

Sounds like the Onstar receiver needs to be covered with a tinfoil hat before any racing action

For that use, I think it's 3M that makes an aluminum foil tape in various widths (1/2" - 6" wide rolls). We use it at work. About a 3 mil foil with a strong adhesive backing - but not ultra-permanent, adhesive residue can be wiped off with isopropyl alcohol.

-Jeff

i fully support this so long as its used only in serious accidents or fatal accidents. and if you think about it. its nothing new. its just something more accurate and quicker than having an accident investigator come ot the scene, take tread mark measurements, and everything else they look at to determine fault.