Many vehicles already have car black box but most people are not aware that their car contains the device that works similar to those found in airplanes. The first event data recorder in car was installed already in the mid-1990’s, while up to 85% of new vehicles have one behind the dashboard or under the seat. They do not record voices and do not violate the car’s owner privacy in any way despite the fact that some people claim that they feel like being spied on. These types of car black boxes do not track the car’s movement nor the driver’s actions all the time but they do record several types of important data few seconds before the collision. This is due to the fact that these devices were originally designed to monitor activation of the airbags. For that reason the device is activated about 5 seconds before the actual collision.

Within those few seconds before the collision, the car black box records several highly important information that help accident investigators to determine the course of events before the accident and even determine what has caused the accident and the driver that is responsible for collision. In fact, the data obtained from the car black box has been already used several times as evidence in the courts in many countries, including the United Kingdom. In 2006, a man in Birmingham was sentenced to 21 months in prison for causing an accident on the base of data from his car black box that revealed that he was driving more than twice the speed allowed.

In addition to car black boxes that are already installed in vehicles by car manufacturers it is also to possible to purchase a car black box that is installed on the windshield. Like those that are found beneath the seat or behind the dashboard, this type of car black box records the speed, acceleration, sudden tuns, braking and other important actions of the driver shortly before the collision. So why would you install a car black box on your windshield if already having one under your seat or behind the dashboard? Well, for two reasons. Firstly, the device that is installed on the windshield includes a digital camera that records the driver’s view and secondly, it is also equipped with a GPS unit that records the exact location of the car and time of the accident. But do you have any benefit from an additional black box? More than you might think actually. For example, have you ever found yourself in situation when you tried to dispute the police officer’s claim? No? Then you should consider yourself lucky because if you did you would know that you have little chance to prove that you are right not the police officer. And this is where a car black box plays the key role because you have all the necessary data about your actions and even more important a video that leaves no doubt about who is right and who is wrong.

The data recorded by a car black box is also very helpful for insurance claims and there is no way to be rejected with the evidence from the black box. Even more, you may even get a discount for your car insurance if using a car black box. The data recorded by black boxes that are already installed in your vehicle is a very strong evidence as well but without a video record, you may not be able to prove that a cyclist suddenly turned in front of your car without any signal.