Crash Data
Did you know cars also have their own version of a “black box” like they have on planes? Sgt. Eaton has more in this week’s #TrafficTipTuesday
“Earlier today I attended a Maryland Crash Reconstruction Committee meeting. This group is made up of certified crash reconstructionists from around the state. In these meetings we often talk about some of the tools used in crash investigations. One of these tools is known as an EDR, which stands for Electronic Data Recorder. This device is installed in all new cars and most of the older vehicles on the road today. You can think of an EDR sort of like the black box on an airplane. If my team is deployed to investigate a serious or fatal vehicle crash, one of the specially trained investigators will download the data off of the EDR to determine the sequence of events leading up to the crash. This will give us information such as vehicle speed, braking input, accelerator input, and steering, just to name a few. The EDR will also provide data for five seconds PRIOR to the crash. This will help us determine if the vehicle was speeding up or slowing down before the crash occurred.
The EDR is constantly recording and overwriting data. When an event, such as a crash, is detected, the EDR will stop overwriting and save the last 5 seconds in order to help investigators determine who is at fault and whether or not someone should be charged with negligence contributing to a vehicle collision.
More information of EDR’s can be found at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website by going to https://www.nhtsa.gov/research-data/event-data-recorder
As always, if you have a question or concern, please leave it in the comments below. Also, if you have a specific concern with unsafe driving in your area, such as speeding, drag racing, etc., give us a call, send an email, or reach out on social media. Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely
HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org
@hcsotrafficsgt on Instagram
HEY – Do you are someone you know want to start an AMAZING career and get to work with the one and only Traffic Sergeant Eaton? The Harford County Sheriff’s Office is currently hiring for multiple positions to include Law Enforcement Recruit, Correctional Deputy, and several other civilian positions. Visit https://harfordsheriff.org/employment/openings/ to learn more. “