Is this feature in all new cars? and where do we draw the line with this kind of ****?

From our owners manual:
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to
record up to five seconds of specific vehicle data parameters
(refer to the following list) in an event data recorder
prior to the moment of airbag deployment, or near
deployment, and up to a quarter-second of high-speed
deceleration data during and/or after airbag deployment.
EDR data are ONLY recorded if an airbag deploys,
or nearly deploys, and are otherwise unavailable.
NOTE:
1. A near-deployment event occurs when the airbag
sensor detects severe vehicle deceleration usually indicative
of a crash, but not severe enough to warrant airbag
deployment.
2. Under certain circumstances, EDR data may not be
recorded (e.g., loss of battery power).
In conjunction with other data gathered during a complete
accident investigation, the electronic data may be
used by Chrysler LLC and others to learn more about the
possible causes of crashes and associated injuries in order
to assess and improve vehicle performance. In addition
to crash investigations initiated by Chrysler LLC, such
investigations may be requested by customers, insurance
carriers, government officials, and professional crash
researchers, such as those associated with universities,
and with hospital and insurance organizations.

In the event that an investigation is undertaken by
Chrysler LLC (regardless of initiative), the company or its
designated representative will first obtain permission of
the appropriate custodial entity for the vehicle (usually
the vehicle owner or lessee) before accessing the electronic
data stored, unless ordered to download data by a
court with legal jurisdiction (i.e., pursuant to a warrant).
Acopy of the data will be provided to the custodial entity
upon request. General data that does not identify particular
vehicles or crashes may be released for incorporation
in aggregate crash databases, such as those maintained
by the US government and various states. Data of
a potentially sensitive nature, such as would identify a
particular driver, vehicle, or crash, will be treated confidentially.
Confidential data will not be disclosed by
Chrysler LLC to any third party except when:
1. Used for research purposes, such as to match data
with a particular crash record in an aggregate database,
provided confidentiality of personal data is thereafter
preserved
2. Used in defense of litigation involving a Chrysler LLC
product
3. Requested by police under a legal warrant
4. Otherwise required by law
Data parameters that may be recorded:
• Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning lamp status
for electronically-controlled safety systems, including
the airbag system
• Time of airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
• Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
• Impact acceleration and angle
• Seat belt status
• Brake status (service and parking brakes)
• Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
• Engine control status (including engine speed)
• Transmission gear selection
• Cruise control status
• Traction/stability control status
• Tire pressure monitoring system status (if equipped)

 

Its part of the airbag module. They've been in vehicles with airbags since the mid '90's. The only time it actually "records" your driving is in the event of a deployment or "near-deployment" event. And even then some will only capture the 5 seconds before deployment. I wouldn't worry about it, most law enforcement agencies dont have the equipment to download the event. And really the only time they do download the information is in the event of a traffic fatality, when the information is used to support a full reconstruction.

 

Here is an example of a deployment event. My 2008 Ram QC, totaled in a crash on 12-24-08. The girl who hit me was nearly killed because my truck intruded almost all the way through her Ford Explorer. The police who investigated the crash did not download the EDR. I almost took my equipment to download it but figured I should stay hands off.


See the black truck, and white exploder:
http://s410.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=Truck004.jpg

 

That explorer got messed up....

 

Yes it did! Poor girl is only 18 years old, definitely not an experienced driver. Fortunately she didn't have any passengers, they would have been killed for sure.

 

I bet she'll look next time!

 

wmichell227 is right the event recorders have been on ALL new cars for some time. It only comes into play for fatal or near fatal accidents. If you re-end someone in traffic on your way home from work the cops aren't going to run the event recorder unless their is a serious injury.

 

I requested that mine be read on a Sebring my son wrote off, No witnesses so it was a 50/50 but I wanna know for sure was he speeding, did he apply brakes, whatever else that might help to see who's fault. Dealer would do it but they want too much money

 

I'm not sure but you might try auto zone, they might have a CDR. It just plugs in to your OBDII port. Also if you still have access to the car, you could call a local police or sheriffs department and talk to their accident reconstructionist. I think it would a great learning experience for a kid. I would without a doubt download mine if my son was involved in a crash.