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Expect Mandatory 'Big Brother' Black Boxes In All New Cars From 2015

New submitter Kraftwerk writes "A bill already passed by the Senate and set to be rubber stamped by the House would make it mandatory for all new cars in the United States to be fitted with black box data recorders from 2015 onwards. Section 31406 of Senate Bill 1813 (known as MAP-21), calls for 'Mandatory Event Data Recorders' to be installed in all new automobiles and legislates for civil penalties to be imposed against individuals for failing to do so. 'Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall revise part 563 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to require, beginning with model year 2015, that new passenger motor vehicles sold in the United States be equipped with an event data recorder that meets the requirements under that part,' states the bill."

449 of 628 comments (clear)

  1. The next step? by fragfoo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    And in all new persons from 2016.

    (Maybe old ones too)

    --
    Sig? Heil
    1. Re:The next step? by flibbidyfloo · · Score: 1

      If you haven't seen the movie "The Final Cut", it's sort of like this (although not mandatory). Kinda cool.

    2. Re:The next step? by u64 · · Score: 2

      lol, true.

      But it's mostly done already. All mobile phones are portable little black boxes that sends information about you.

    3. Re:The next step? by mxbradley · · Score: 1

      My problem with this story is that it comes from InfoWars which is run by Alex Jones. In my opinion Alex Jones is a troll for the tinfoil hat crowd, and not a reliable source of objective reporting (but then who really is nowadays!?).

  2. Just a recorder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    If they are indeed just local data recorders, I don't really see a problem, as they could be used to make insurance arguments a lot less painful.

    It's only really a privacy concern for the overly paranoid if they are data-transmission-enabled.

    1. Re:Just a recorder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      What? You think that an insurance company wouldn't try to get out of paying a claim if they could find out whether you were speeding? Information is enabling. People should think long and hard about what they want to enable others (especially the government and corporations) to do with their information.

    2. Re:Just a recorder... by smi.james.th · · Score: 1

      It could also help you to prove that you weren't speeding, of course...

      --
      One thing I know, and that is that I am ignorant...
    3. Re:Just a recorder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      Bullshit. The primary purpose of automobile insurance is liability insurance. The insurance company most certainly should cover this. His insurance only protects him financially. It protects your ability to recieve compensation if he does something stupid and injures you.

    4. Re:Just a recorder... by icebike · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Define speeding.

      On most (translation: ALL) roads in the US, the typical speed of traffic is higher than the posted limit. In fact, driving the limit, some claim, causes more accidents than going with the flow of traffic. In spite of this, traffic deaths have been falling for decades, and non-injury accidents as well, all in the face of increased miles traveled and vehicles on the road.

      Insurance covers the driver based on his record of accidents. Its not their job to enforce the law. And its not their job to second guess an evasive maneuver that might exceed the speed limit.

      But what makes you sure this will only be used in claims? In addition to mandatory smog inspections, what is to prevent some governments from mandating recorder dumps yearly, followed by citations in the mail?

      Suggesting any tiny violation invalidates your insurance simply eliminates insurance totally, because they will always find something in a recorder to invalidate your policy. Is that what you are really advocating? It doesn't sound like you have thought this thru very well.

      --
      Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
    5. Re:Just a recorder... by zero0ne · · Score: 1

      What happens if both drivers were Speeding?

      What happens if (more extremely) both drivers were recorded going 46 when the accident happened on a road with a speed limit of 45?
      Should BOTH insurance companies be legally OK to wipe their hands clean of paying out for the accident?

      Simply put, is there anything in the books that would stop both insurance companies from using "speeding" as the end all, over-rules everything reason to not pay out?

    6. Re:Just a recorder... by Richard_at_work · · Score: 1

      You say it like there should be a problem with that...

      Withdraw first party insurance from speeders, no issues with that at all.

    7. Re:Just a recorder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Define speeding.

      On most (translation: ALL) roads in the US, the typical speed of traffic is higher than the posted limit. In fact, driving the limit, some claim, causes more accidents than going with the flow of traffic.

      Good point. In Michigan, there is an 85\15 rule. After studying traffic flow, if it is found that 85% of the cars were going over the posted speed limit, then that community has to up the speed limit.

    8. Re:Just a recorder... by AngryDeuce · · Score: 1

      I don't really see a problem, as they could be used to make insurance arguments a lot less painful.

      Man I hope that's sarcasm....

    9. Re:Just a recorder... by jamstar7 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If they are indeed just local data recorders, I don't really see a problem, as they could be used to make insurance arguments a lot less painful.

      As if insurance companies are going to lower your premiums. What they'll do with this data is, increase premiums on those they now know are 'unsafe'. As in, you actually drive your car instead of keeping it safely in the garage. Or drive through 'unsafe' neighborhoods because it's the only fast way to work. Or drive 'too much', because statistics say an accident is inevitable, and the more you drive, the more likely you are to have an accident. Or, on Jan 1, you acellerated 10 miles an hour over the speed limit and did some sharp turns, no matter that you were manuevering to get out of an accident.

      It's only really a privacy concern for the overly paranoid if they are data-transmission-enabled.

      or, you know, if a cop can pull a quick download off it at a routine traffic stop or 'manditory spot inspection' with or without a warrant. Or probable cause. Or because he's bored and his sergeant is hassling him to get that ticket book filled out so that the city can make up the revenue shortfall from lost taxes as people move out of the area searching for jobs. Ignore the 5th Ammendment aspects of that black box for a moment and think it through. Those black boxes are meant to be used, and not necessarily in your favor. You really think they won't be downloaded and analysed at any excuse? You really think there won't be rulings that they somehow magically don't violate your 5th Ammendment rights? Maybe you're insufficiently paranoid.

      --
      Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
    10. Re:Just a recorder... by fafaforza · · Score: 1

      Even if the driver not at fault was going 4 or 5 over, and his speed did not contribute to the crash? Are you ready to be fleeced by the insurance company on technicalities like this?

    11. Re:Just a recorder... by Truekaiser · · Score: 1

      it's just a local data recorder recording a minute to minute and a half of information about the car over and over again in a loop. stuff like speed, pedal positions, indicators, direction if your car has a built in compass, etc. what surprises people though is a lot of cars already come with them. it has no gps abilities and no phoning home abilities.

      the article is overblown because it's just a re posted infowars.com article.

      and the funny thing is? i don't see him complaining about the actual stuff that phones home. have you read on-star's tos? if you are rich enough to afford a tesla car did you know they have built in cellular modems so they can remotely check the battery level and void your warranty if you don't have it plugged in when not in use?

      no, you see crap like this after a piece of safety gear has after years of non mandatory use showing how good it is and then becomes mandatory. Most of the time this black box / data recorder will help you in a accident by backing up your claim of not being at fault. unless you always drive recklessly, in which case yes it's going to hurt you.

    12. Re:Just a recorder... by dgatwood · · Score: 1

      In addition to mandatory smog inspections, what is to prevent some governments from mandating recorder dumps yearly, followed by citations in the mail?

      Lack of location information. That vehicle could have been on an autobahn at the time, for all the government knows. And if they already have cameras sufficient to prove that you were in the state at the time, they also have cameras sufficient to prove you were speeding without the need for the black box.

      --

      Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.

    13. Re:Just a recorder... by icebike · · Score: 1

      Even without factory nav option installed, adding a gps chip embedded in the blackbox (or even the base of the radio) would cost less than 10 bucks.

      This will neither prevent accidents, or save lives. All it does is allow governments to affix blame. You know tracking will be mandatory.
       

      --
      Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
    14. Re:Just a recorder... by JATMON · · Score: 2

      If they are indeed just local data recorders, I don't really see a problem, ....

      That is how it starts.
      Step 1) get everyone used to the device for recording basic info. But no worries, the data is all yours (Unless we decide that we "NEED" it)
      Step 2) Oh, we are just going to add GPS data. But no worries, the data is all yours (Unless we decide that we "NEED" it)
      Step 3) We are going to add networking so that when you get into an accident the police/fire/medics can be automatically notified with the exact location. But no worries, we promise not to store or use the data for any other purpose.
      Step 4) Start automatically sending tickets based off of data collected from black box.

      Nope, I can't think of any negative outcome of this bill.

      It is amazing what people can get used to. for example, just 10 years ago we would have been bitching about gas prices above $1.50. Today you are happy if you see gas prices around $3.20. In just 10 years they have more than doubled the acceptable price. Or look at how quickly people stop complaining about new TSA policies.It only took a few months for people to stop complaining about the full body scanners and accept them as part of modern travel.

    15. Re:Just a recorder... by hal2814 · · Score: 1

      Whether or not you were speeding does not always affect who is at fault. Furthermore, how do they know you were speeding? You black box gets that information from your speedometer which is not regularly calibrated and can be affected by something as simple as changing your tire size. No judge or jury is going to take that information as gospel.

    16. Re:Just a recorder... by asylumx · · Score: 1

      Uh... Citation, please? I drive through a small town with a too-low speed limit every day with traffic going 5-10 over, and they've never considered raising that limit.

    17. Re:Just a recorder... by shentino · · Score: 1

      Just make sure they aren't manufactured by Diebold or anyone else who may be tempted to accept bribes from fine starved police or insurance companies,

    18. Re:Just a recorder... by Tassach · · Score: 1

      No judge or jury is going to take that information as gospel.

      Bull.

      Judges and juries are among the most credulous people around. They are particularly susceptible to Appeals to Authority, and you can't get any more authoritative than "the computer says so".

      --
      Why is it that the proponents of "one nation under God" are so eager to get rid of "liberty and justice for all"?
    19. Re:Just a recorder... by MrKettlePot · · Score: 1

      I don't think anyone is advocating for this terrible idea. I think he is pointing out that the idea is going to come up at some point. It would be better to be able to say it's impossible than to say we don't think insurance companies should do that.

    20. Re:Just a recorder... by cayenne8 · · Score: 1

      It could also help you to prove that you weren't speeding, of course...

      I'm always speeding.

      I don't bother to look at the speedometer, until the radar detector starts to go off....and then look to see how fast I have to decelerate...

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    21. Re:Just a recorder... by vux984 · · Score: 2

      Withdraw first party insurance from speeders, no issues with that at all.

      Only people who say that are those who don't drive.

      The only way to ensure you aren't speeding is to drive a few mph BELOW the speed limit, otherwise hills, transitions from one posted speed limit to another, and the fact that holding exactly X mph is pretty much impossible in the real world, will ensure that some percentage of the time you are above the posted speed limit and some percentage you are below it.

      Anyone with half a brain in their head knows that

      a) nobody drives a few mph below the speed limit everywhere.

      b) driving a few mph below the speed limit everywhere is dangerous because NOBODY ELSE drives like that.

      So to withdraw first party insurance from speeders is to effectively withdraw insurance from everyone.

      A huge shift in culture needs to happen with respect to posted speed limits... from how they are posted, to how they are enforced, to the societal norms around them.

      You can't just decide that tomorrow anyone determined to be "speeding" has no insurance (and therefore can't legally drive??)

    22. Re:Just a recorder... by tftp · · Score: 2

      your 5th Ammendment rights

      The right to remain silent. Courts ruled (in cases of missing keys for some locks and safes - and perhaps passwords) that you don't have to tell the court anything, but the police can wreck your safe in any way they like. This certainly applies to the black box in your car. The box has no constitutional rights.

      Perhaps you were thinking of the 4th Amendment - against unreasonable searches. However that had been taken care of (against you) already:

      "Conversely, the Court has approved routine warrantless seizures, for example "where there is probable cause to believe that a criminal offense has been or is being committed."

      In other words, if the LEO stopped you he is likely to have a probable cause. For example he can say that you were observed speeding. (Speeding may be a crime.) This will be enough to search "a special designation of the persons or objects of search, arrest, or seizure" - the black box. Such a search today requires specialized hardware; however it is trivial to make such a connection wireless, so that the car tells the tale to the officer as he walks up to you. Certain information about cars (license plates and the VIN) is already designed to be viewed remotely and without driver's permission. Wireless access to the black box is just as likely, especially if the Congress says that "it's for the children."

    23. Re:Just a recorder... by AlamedaStone · · Score: 1

      Just to play devil's advocate, couldn't a person just put a faraday cage around the black box to prevent remote access?

      --
      "All these years believing you're the signified monkey, only to find out you're just a big hunk of nobody cares."
    24. Re:Just a recorder... by dgatwood · · Score: 1

      My point is that it isn't a requirement for the boxes to have that data, and there's no valid reason for the boxes to have or store that data because it does not provide information that is useful forensically, therefore they are unlikely to have that data. Any manufacturer choosing to add such logging on its own, once caught, would get a major black mark in the press, which means no manufacturer would willingly add it unless forced to do so by law. And because the only possible purpose of having GPS in the black box would be to enable the sorts of fishing expeditions you describe, any law requiring the devices to have GPS logging would get the person who suggested it seriously raked over the coals.

      --

      Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.

    25. Re:Just a recorder... by icebike · · Score: 1

      My point is that it will be slipped into the regulations so that ALL recorders have GPS data.

      Congress passes laws.
      Executive branch writes regs.
      Regs Always exceed what the law intended.

      --
      Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
    26. Re:Just a recorder... by mark-t · · Score: 1

      They don't enforce the law, but they certainly can and *DO* suspend your insurance if you are found to be "in breach" of the terms of the insurance during an accident claim, which includes doing things that are against the law (such as driving with undue attention to the road [using a handheld cell phone while driving], excessive speeding, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, etc).

    27. Re:Just a recorder... by Ichijo · · Score: 3, Informative

      In Michigan, there is an 85\15 rule. After studying traffic flow, if it is found that 85% of the cars were going over the posted speed limit, then that community has to up the speed limit.

      Does anyone else think it's a very bad idea to allow people who overestimate their own driving ability to set the speed limits?

      --
      Any sufficiently unpopular but cohesive argument is indistinguishable from trolling.
    28. Re:Just a recorder... by Ichijo · · Score: 1

      As if insurance companies are going to lower your premiums.

      Of course they won't. They only go up. It's called, "inflation."

      --
      Any sufficiently unpopular but cohesive argument is indistinguishable from trolling.
    29. Re:Just a recorder... by mcavic · · Score: 1

      If I'm speeding and I cause an accident, that's just called an at-fault accident. Insurance pays for at-fault accidents. They can drop you afterwards, but they still have to pay.

    30. Re:Just a recorder... by OhPlz · · Score: 1

      As if insurance companies are going to lower your premiums. What they'll do with this data is, increase premiums on those they now know are 'unsafe'. As in, you actually drive your car instead of keeping it safely in the garage.

      My insurance gives a decent discount for however many years I keep from having an at-fault accident or ticket. My premium has gone way down over the years, even as my choice of vehicles gets more expensive. They must, as others have pointed out. It's a highly competitive business. Besides which, I live in a state which doesn't require insurance. We're only required to have sufficient "financial means". If the policies got too high, they'd lose all their customers.. except for the ones forced to buy insurance by the bank holding the title until the loan is paid off.

    31. Re:Just a recorder... by taskiss · · Score: 1

      Do you think a claim would be denied if you were going over the speed limit?

      I don't. Your rates would probably go up though.

      --
      - real hackers don't have sigs -
    32. Re:Just a recorder... by tipo159 · · Score: 1

      As if insurance companies are going to lower your premiums. What they'll do with this data is, increase premiums on those they now know are 'unsafe'.

      Progressive Insurance (optionally) collects data and uses it to lower your premium. It is a program called 'Snapshot'. If you let them put a 'black box' in your car and monitor your driving habits, you get (up to 30%) lower premiums.

      They say that they look at how many miles you drive, when you drive and 'gentle braking'. They said that they do not monitor whether you are speeding or gather GPS data.

    33. Re:Just a recorder... by hal2814 · · Score: 1

      15 - 20 years ago, asking for when the last time a radar gun was calibrated during discovery was practically a get-out-of-ticket-free card. (These days police forces are smart enough to calibrate and record that they did it.) Unless they're going to compel you to have your unit checked out regularly, it's going to be hard to use that information in a court of law.

    34. Re:Just a recorder... by smi.james.th · · Score: 2

      Well the first step towards recovery is admitting you have a problem...

      Do you think you could try not speeding all the time please? I know this is slashdot and everything but there are some of us that wouldn't like to die on the roads because of assholes who think that speed limits aren't important. No offence intended, it's just my life that I'm concerned about.

      --
      One thing I know, and that is that I am ignorant...
    35. Re:Just a recorder... by jamstar7 · · Score: 1

      As if insurance companies are going to lower your premiums. What they'll do with this data is, increase premiums on those they now know are 'unsafe'.

      This is bogus. Insurance companies want nothing more than to get as many safe drivers on their rolls as possible. That means offering them the lowest premiums they can. It's a fiercely competitive market (don't tell me you don't see, hear, or read at least one GEICO, Progressive, Nationwide, or Esurance commercial every day of your life). They have no incentive for punitive pricing. Unless of course they plan to start illegally colluding with each other on prices.

      The two states I live in, Arizona and Ohio, each have manditory insurance laws. In fact, if you drop your insurance in Mohave County Arizona and don't go with somebody else, 5 days later a deputy sheriff comes out to your house with a screwdriver to confiscate your license plates. I shopped around for insurance in both of these states, and the rates are comparable if you search for standards (state minimums, full coverage with x deductible, etc). I haven't had as much as a parking ticket in 15 years, yet my rates haven't gone down much. Maybe 50 bucks a year.

      As for the rest of your comment, call my Congresscritters? I don't have enough bribe money^F^Fcampaign contributions to affect their vote.

      --
      Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
    36. Re:Just a recorder... by jamstar7 · · Score: 1

      I live in two states that have manditory insurance laws, as I've already noted. In neither state has my premiums decreased by more than $50/year in the 15 years I've had insurance with this company. No accidents whatsoever, zero 'points' on my license, not even a parking ticket in those 15 years.

      --
      Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
    37. Re:Just a recorder... by jamstar7 · · Score: 1

      I don't see why not. Of course, the cops will have a cable to hook up to the box 'just in case'.

      --
      Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
    38. Re:Just a recorder... by Ichijo · · Score: 2

      Sure, the guy that did not stop in time and rear ended someone was and should be technically at fault but why put people in that situation?

      This is why tailgating laws need to be more vigorously enforced.

      --
      Any sufficiently unpopular but cohesive argument is indistinguishable from trolling.
    39. Re:Just a recorder... by CBravo · · Score: 1

      At least one of the problems is that people, including myself, are less social when driving a car. A black box can help people remember that antisocial behaviour is not forgotten (especially when an accident happens). I would however legislate a mandatory warning sticker, clearly visible for the driver.

      --
      nosig today
    40. Re:Just a recorder... by Neil+Boekend · · Score: 1

      I would love insurance companies to stop paying out when the driver was speeding. My insurance cost would lower, safety would improve and I'd only have to modify my behaviour a bit.
      If someone willingly and on purpose increases his risk of a crash this is his own choice, and he should be liable for it. Many life insurances don't pay out on suicide, why do car insurance companies pay out on speeding? (hyperbole for explanatory purposes only, not to be taken litterally).

      --
      Well, I might have a way, but it only works on a semi spherical planet in a vacuum.
    41. Re:Just a recorder... by Rysc · · Score: 1

      Even if no one else will, I'll step up and defend speeding.

      Exceeding posted limits is not necessarily unsafe or unwise. Posted speed limits set the maximum safe speed for the worst case scenarios, such as bad weather coupled with moronic behavior of the drivers. It does not account for normal conditions and competent people because it must look to the lowest common denominator.

      I always drive safely first, legally second. In some places and conditions driving at the speed limit is unsafe and in those places I don't. Getting in to an accident due to speed isn't okay because you weren't violating the posted limits. Similarly, in some places and conditions driving over the speed limit is safe. I drive at the optimal combination of safety and speed, according to my own estimation. I generally expect everyone to do the same, because it's not the job of the speed limit sign, the cops, the politicians or the lawyers to keep you safe, it's your responsibility.

      Ultimately there is no other authority on what is the right thing to do while driving other than the individual driver. Assuming that you have been provided with a full understanding of the facts, physics, statistics and knowledge of the best practices for any given situation it is thereafter solely your responsibility to do the right thing. If you decide the right thing involves violating posted speed limits, or any other traffic laws, I encourage you to do so without hesitation. The legal system may retaliate against you in some cases, which is a sad reality you must accept, but I do not recommend any alteration to your behavior. Daddy government doesn't know best, you know best. If you have a doubt as to what is correct by all means adhere to the recommendations set forth in law and by signage; keep it under the posted limit, don't cross solid lines, toe the line. If you do not feel that you can capably judge the situation it is entirely correct to fall back on rules you have learned by rote. However, if you feel at any time that what you should do and what the laws say you should do are not the same, go with yourself.

      --
      I want my Cowboyneal
    42. Re:Just a recorder... by smi.james.th · · Score: 1

      Ultimately there is no other authority on what is the right thing to do while driving other than the individual driver. Assuming that you have been provided with a full understanding of the facts, physics, statistics and knowledge of the best practices for any given situation it is thereafter solely your responsibility to do the right thing. If you decide the right thing involves violating posted speed limits, or any other traffic laws, I encourage you to do so without hesitation. The legal system may retaliate against you in some cases, which is a sad reality you must accept, but I do not recommend any alteration to your behavior. Daddy government doesn't know best, you know best.

      I agree with a lot of what you've said, yes, in some cases it is dangerous to stick to the speed limit, in heavy rain and snow you should slow down, and I don't mind too much speeding up to pass a lorry, for instance.

      However, the problem is when dumbasses think they know best. I have no idea who you are or how you drive, perhaps you are competent to judge whether it's safe to exceed the speed limit. Do I want to trust my life to your assessment of your own competence though? Hell no. That's why I'm fastidious about sticking to the rules, I don't expect other people to trust me either, no matter how good I think I am. It's not just a CYA thing, I refuse to put myself in a situation where I can be held responsible for other people's lives (or the ending thereof rather). The proverbial old question, what if a child runs into the road? If you're driving too fast are you going to be able to stop in time?

      The other thing about rules is that it provides some sort of means whereby people can judge what you're going to do. If someone can expect you not to cross a white line, for example, then they can plan their driving strategy. If you expect someone to be doing 60km/h in a certain zone, then you can judge how big a gap you need to pull out. It's difficult to see that someone coming is actually doing 120km/h (because he's judged himself competent to do so) until they're a lot closer.

      Really the posted speed limits are fine. If you think they're too slow, perhaps try riding a bicycle or a donkey or even walking to give yourself a bit of perspective and be grateful that you have mechanised transport.

      --
      One thing I know, and that is that I am ignorant...
    43. Re:Just a recorder... by avm · · Score: 1

      Cables can be fixed... Just repin the connector and tie half the data lines to 12v (preferably straight off the battery) and the others to ground. Admire the smoke plume emanating from the reading device, that was probably not expecting full battery amperage on its data input lines.

      Cue subsequent detention for "tampering with a recording device" though...

    44. Re:Just a recorder... by OhPlz · · Score: 1

      It no doubt varies by region. If you live in an area with a high rate of claims or is deemed higher risk for whatever reason, you'll get burned. Some states have also over regulated auto insurance to the point where it penalizes everyone for the poor driving of a few (under the codeword "fairness"), or it has the effect of driving out competition. My neighbors in MA had that problem until they started to drift away from heavy regulation. Most of the big insurers didn't even bother offering policies there.

    45. Re:Just a recorder... by Rysc · · Score: 1

      However, the problem is when dumbasses think they know best. I have no idea who you are or how you drive, perhaps you are competent to judge whether it's safe to exceed the speed limit. Do I want to trust my life to your assessment of your own competence though? Hell no. That's why I'm fastidious about sticking to the rules,

      I agree that this is a problem but your solution is not correct, in my view. Look at it in reverse: You don't want to trust your life to my assessment, but you do want to trust your life to your own assessment. By sticking to the rules you are trusting your life to the assessment of a policy maker who is greatly divorced from the here-and-now reality. I advocate trusting yourself and never your fellow drivers and never the policy maker.

      I don't expect other people to trust me either, no matter how good I think I am. It's not just a CYA thing, I refuse to put myself in a situation where I can be held responsible for other people's lives (or the ending thereof rather).

      If you drive at all you are responsible for other people's lives. Some legal cover is given if you operate within the rules (and can prove that you were operating within the rules); I acknowledge that by recommending that you follow your own instincts and not the law I am advising you to operate without this legal cover and, certainly, if this is not something you're comfortable with doing you should not do so.

      The other thing about rules is that it provides some sort of means whereby people can judge what you're going to do. If someone can expect you not to cross a white line, for example, then they can plan their driving strategy. If you expect someone to be doing 60km/h in a certain zone, then you can judge how big a gap you need to pull out. It's difficult to see that someone coming is actually doing 120km/h (because he's judged himself competent to do so) until they're a lot closer.

      I agree entirely. What you should do on the road is always The Most Expected Thing, not the legal thing. That's safe. I always do what is safe first, what is expected second and what is legal dead last. Legality should not be your primary concern. It is incidental that most rules-of-the-road that people expect you to follow are derived from the motor vehicle code. Great example: I try to always, always signal well in advance and I am appreciative when others do so. I do this because this is, in my view, essential to safety, not because not doing so is a moving violation. I only omit this action when instant response is required to avoid a disaster. If I follow the law it is because it was a good idea, not because it was the law.

      Really the posted speed limits are fine. If you think they're too slow, perhaps try riding a bicycle or a donkey or even walking to give yourself a bit of perspective and be grateful that you have mechanised transport.

      This is a fallacy. The fact that you could be forced to go much slower doesn't mean that the limits are "fine" - in most cases the limits are extremely conservative--and for a good reason! But the reason that they are conservative may not apply to everyone all the time, and thus it may not make sense to limit yourself to the posted speed. Each situation should be evaluated individually.

      --
      I want my Cowboyneal
    46. Re:Just a recorder... by vux984 · · Score: 1

      Are you really suggesting most people are very bad drivers?

      Not at all, but I am absolutely suggesting you are not a safe driver.

      http://sense.bc.ca/research.htm

      "This graph shows that crash risk is minimized for those drivers travelling 10-15 km/h over the average speed. (Average speeds in BC are almost always over posted speeds.) Contrary to popular belief, there are more crashes at slower speeds than at faster speeds."

      Further as you can see from the 2nd graph, the average speed is above the posted limit, and vast majority of people travel above the posted speed limit.

      I drive. I drive a lot. I just must be a better driver than you because I don't speed,

      You can see on the second chart that the average speed is approximately 95km/h, 5km/h above the posted speed.

      On a typical highway in Canada you therefore would be proudly deviating from the average speed by about -5km/h.

      Fom the first chart, we can see that the crash risk of driving at -5km is quite a bit higher than then the minimum crash risk.

      Moreover we can see that the crash risk is about the same as driving +25km from the average. Thus driving the speed limit, 90km/h is about the same crash risk as driving 120km/h.

      You may think you are a "better driver than me" but you are arguably something of a hazard on the road.

    47. Re:Just a recorder... by 427_ci_505 · · Score: 1

      [quote]If you think they're too slow, perhaps try riding a bicycle or a donkey or even walking to give yourself a bit of perspective and be grateful that you have mechanised transport.[/quote]

      The advice is appreciated, but most people will just go as fast as they want.

      With that send, most people have enough self interest and dislike of life ending events that the speed they converge on...is quite reasonable for the road and the conditions. Most people I've seen on the road go pretty fast when it's bone dry and nice and slow down in a hurry when it's raining and shitty.

      TLDR: People are intelligent enough to not completely fuck themselves over, most of the time.

    48. Re:Just a recorder... by smi.james.th · · Score: 1

      With that said, most people have enough self interest and dislike of life ending events that the speed they converge on...is quite reasonable for the road and the conditions. Most people I've seen on the road go pretty fast when it's bone dry and nice and slow down in a hurry when it's raining and shitty.

      You don't live in South Africa, do you? :P I can't assess this anywhere in the world, so what you say may be true but where I come from there are an inordinate amount of asshats who seem to think that more is better regardless of what's safe when it comes to speed. The amount of road deaths we have annually testifies to that.

      --
      One thing I know, and that is that I am ignorant...
    49. Re:Just a recorder... by RockDoctor · · Score: 1

      You think that an insurance company wouldn't try to get out of paying a claim if they could find out whether you were speeding?

      And do you not think that if you're violating your contract with the insurance company by speeding , then possibly you don't actually deserve to get away with your lies.

      I don't know, because I just noticed that you're an AC, which jurisdiction you're in, but in this country, every vehicle insurance policy I've ever read has had basic limits written into it along the lines (the legalese varies) of "driving in accordance with local laws and regulations". Which would mean, automatically, that once you're travelling over the local speed limit, your insurance is void.

      So, then, if you have a crash when you know you're speeding, then you also know that you were driving outside the terms and conditions of your insurance. And therefore, by filing that claim to your insurance company, you are attempting to commit theft by defrauding. (If you didn't know that you were speeding, then you were almost certainly guilty of "driving without due care and attention", which a violation of local laws and regulations. So you're still culpable.)

      And now you're objecting to the increased probability of you getting caught committing theft?

      You'll be calling for the disbanding of police forces next. Criminal scum bag.

      --
      Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
    50. Re:Just a recorder... by Criton · · Score: 1

      Insurance companies tend to be crooks.

  3. Reminder: Source is Infowars by nonprofiteer · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Most cars already have black boxes."The 'event data recorder' is known commonly as a black box and has been installed in some vehicles since 1996. About 60 million vehicles now have them and 85 percent of new cars this year will come standard with a “black box,” according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates." -- via NHSTA. There are actually some good things in this bill -- such as establishing that police need a court order to get access to data and that the driving data belongs to the owner of the car not the manufacturer.

    1. Re:Reminder: Source is Infowars by Xphile101361 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Hey hey, this is /. We are too busy putting on our tin foil hats.

    2. Re:Reminder: Source is Infowars by houghi · · Score: 1

      such as establishing that police need a court order to get access to data and that the driving data belongs to the owner of the car not the manufacturer.

      Why do they need a separate bill for that? It should not be included in this bill. It should be obvious that access to private data, ANY private data, hell, ANY DATA should, no MUST require a court order.

      If that is not the case, you (as a population) are doing it wrong.

      --
      Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
    3. Re:Reminder: Source is Infowars by roc97007 · · Score: 1

      Please post the pattern here. It might be popular with this crowd.

      --
      Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
    4. Re:Reminder: Source is Infowars by vakuona · · Score: 1

      I am not that paranoid by the way, but once the information is there, and you were involved in an accident, how hard is it going to be for the police to get a court order to access your data. They don't have to single you out either.

          - Police -
      3 cars were involved in the crash your honor, so we are want to view the contents of all their black boxes (who says boxen?). Please?

      Besides, if he has nothing to hide...

          - Judge -
      OK.

    5. Re:Reminder: Source is Infowars by OhPlz · · Score: 1

      Yep. Just ask the Lt Governor of Massachusetts:

      The black box data, which gathers information on the 20 seconds before the crash, indicates he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and that he was traveling at speeds ranging from 75 miles per hour to 108 miles per hour, the peak speed recorded less than a half-second before the crash. After hitting the ledge, the vehicle spun and rolled over while travelling another 232 feet before coming to a stop. The data indicate Murray did not brake prior to impact.

      http://www.commonwealthmagazine.org/News-and-Features/Online-exclusives/2012/Winter/002-Lt-Gov-Murray-was-going-108.aspx

      He originally blamed his spectacular crash on icy roads. The article includes a nice graph of some of the data. There's also a PDF floating around that has a more in depth analysis, but I can't find it at the moment.

    6. Re:Reminder: Source is Infowars by ppanon · · Score: 1

      Wow. Not wearing a seat belt, doing 108mph, the car rolls over and he escapes serious injury? The airbags saved his life, because I can't see how he would have done that 30 years ago and not wound up as dead as the Princess of Wales.

      --
      Laissez lire, et laissez danser; ces deux amusements ne feront jamais de mal au monde. - Voltaire
    7. Re:Reminder: Source is Infowars by Stephenmg · · Score: 1

      should be obvious, but unless the police/government is told no directly, they'll do as they please with the threat of force.

    8. Re:Reminder: Source is Infowars by Antony-Kyre · · Score: 1

      You're kidding, right? You're not wearing yours 24/7? You should only have to put on your tinfoil hat once. Yes, that includes sleeping and showering.

    9. Re:Reminder: Source is Infowars by Mr+Bubble · · Score: 1

      There are definitely people who see the sinister in everything, but the government has a terrible track record lately with things that require warrants. It also speaks toa larger point about electronics, privacy and law enforcement. There will be a million things that can be done to monitor and control the populace as technology gets more and more advanced. Should we do them? Law enforcement and law makers sees it as a case of better tools to do the job they are tasked to do. Joe six pack approves it because it fights the bad guys. Who sill set the limits?

      --
      "The world is a construct of forceful imagination. Those who don't know walk around in the reailties of those who do"
  4. slippery slope by bigtrike · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The next thing you know, the government will be totally involved in your private lives, such as making decisions about who you can marry and restricting your ability to make decisions about your own body.

    1. Re:slippery slope by yurtinus · · Score: 3, Insightful

      This made me giggle, then it made me weep. I'm posting because there is no +1: Uncomfortable Truth mod....

      --
      +1 Disagree
    2. Re:slippery slope by pak9rabid · · Score: 1

      The next thing you know, the government will be totally involved in your private lives, such as making decisions about who you can marry and restricting your ability to make decisions about your own body.

      I don't think you're connecting the right dots.

    3. Re:slippery slope by Jeng · · Score: 3, Informative

      And you immediately jump to the conclusion that the person was talking about abortion and not recreational drug use or one of the many other ways government needs to but the fuck out of peoples lives.

      Also, most people realize that Republicans are far more concerned with the person she is carrying in her womb, than they are for her.

      Best way to stop abortions is birth control.

      --
      Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
    4. Re:slippery slope by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Come on bro, this is Slashdot, the liberal bias here is ridiculous. Don't waste their time with common sense.

      That's right! As soon as a woman becomes pregnant she is no longer a free person. She MUST devote her life to that baby!

      If he needs medical care and can't afford it, there are ways to get free care and it will be passed on to insured patients. It's not a problem.

      It's a hidden "tax" because it's not Government mandated - it's a market thing,.

      Anyway, The Market demands that the sick, poor, and otherwise "compromised" people of our society need to be "personally responsible" so that they need to fend for themselves.

    5. Re:slippery slope by lgw · · Score: 2, Insightful

      That fetus didn't sneak in there when the mother wasn't looking. The very definition of responsibility is caring for those affected by your choices, whether the outcome was intentional or not.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    6. Re:slippery slope by Jeng · · Score: 1

      Which is the most fiscally irresponsible thing they can do, unless you want to pay for welfare babies.

      Do you want to pay for welfare babies?

      Pay for the birth control, or pay for the welfare, the choice is up to morons.

      --
      Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
    7. Re:slippery slope by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      The very definition of responsibility is caring for those affected by your choices, whether the outcome was intentional or not.

      And once you actually believe that and practice it you will no longer be a Republican.

    8. Re:slippery slope by Ma'at · · Score: 1

      That fetus didn't sneak in there when the mother wasn't looking. The very definition of responsibility is caring for those affected by your choices, whether the outcome was intentional or not.

      Except in the case of rape, which Republicans don't think is an acceptable reason for abortion either. They also are against abortion to save the life of the mother, because a dead woman and a dead baby is OK if it's an act of god, but a live woman and a dead zygote is a worse outcome in their eyes. I think the reality here is the reasons for abortion are complex and difficult, and the decision should be up to the mother, with input from her doctor, pastor, family, etc. or whoever else she trusts.

    9. Re:slippery slope by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      While that could be true, it's a rather different situation when the "black box" is recording what's going on in a vehicle being driven on public roads and is only available to the government or its officials when they're carrying a warrant to retrieve it. It's *your* "black box" and *your* data. This isn't the government insisting you have a video camera installed in your bedroom and they can watch any time they like. Driving cars on a public road already requires a license for valid reasons, and you have to install a visible license plate so that your vehicle is identifiable. Is that an infringement on your freedom? Or a reasonable concession for something occurring on public property that has a lot of responsibility (a ton of deadly metal hurtling around under human control)?

      Now the law will require new vehicles to store some data. Big deal. It's not real-time, it's already in a lot of vehicles for technical reasons, and it's not automatically something the government has any right to access.

    10. Re:slippery slope by PRMan · · Score: 1
      --
      Peter predicted that you would "deliberately forget" creation 2000 years ago...
    11. Re:slippery slope by lgw · · Score: 2, Interesting

      So you;re saying you prefer a different strawman then? People on both extremes of the social political spectrum believe some pretty crazy stuff, no doubt. But the mainstream consevative position is simply that, in the normal, case of pregnacy (desired or otherwise), there are the rights of two people to consider, not just one.

      I'm not sure how much I agree with that, but it's not some crazy irrational idea, nor is it "we hate women, lets find new ways to express that". At some point between conception and birth (and likely not at either extreme), there are two people to consider, and it's not just the mother's vote any more, but the state representing its interest in people too weak to protect themselves.

      Personally, I don't think we're too far off right now. First trimester, almost anything goes. Second, there are some hurdles. Third, life of the mother. That sounds reasonable to me, since I don't have any particular insight into "when personhood begins" (and distrust anyone who's too sure they know).

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    12. Re:slippery slope by CanHasDIY · · Score: 2

      You do realize that Republicans are far less concerned with what a woman does to her own body than they are about what she does to the cellular tissue she is carrying in her own body?

      FTFY.

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    13. Re:slippery slope by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      Medicaid already covers every contraceptive under the sun.

      Which is great for the 5% of the population who qualify for Medicaid.

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    14. Re:slippery slope by Hatta · · Score: 2

      The very definition of responsibility is caring for those affected by your choices, whether the outcome was intentional or not.

      The weasel word here is "those". "Those" affected by the decision to have unprotected sex are those who had the sex. There is no other "those", "them", "they", "he", or "she" involved. There is an "it", but it's just an "it".

      The best way to care for those affected by the choice to have unprotected sex is to destroy the fetus as quickly as possible, so you can go back to having more sex.

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
    15. Re:slippery slope by Jeng · · Score: 1

      Been in a committed relationship for the past 15 years and so far birth control has worked for us and we tend to fuck every single night, it's how we get to sleep.

      So are you one of those freaks that only has sex for procreation?

      --
      Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
    16. Re:slippery slope by HapSlappy_2222 · · Score: 1

      Agreed. Which is why if an abortion is going to happen, it should be done as early as possible, meaning before it could be considered a person and not just a potential person. Development during pregnancy exponential, not linear, so the sooner the better, by orders of magnitude.

      I'm all for limiting abortions to the end of the first trimester, which is about half-way (in terms of time, NOT development) to the very slim chance of a viable birth, which starts around 24 weeks (anything before 30 weeks birth is mindbogglingly risky, though). It's also months before human brain patterns begin, and a little bit before the primitive (sometimes called "reptilian") nervous system really starts to develop.

      12 weeks provides *plenty* of time to identify a pregnancy and do something about it, well before the fetus could be considered anything more than a bunch of cells, medically speaking (in fact, at 12 weeks, you've just barely stopped calling it an "embryo"). If you're gonna get pregnant, but don't want to stay pregnant, there should surely be an out for you, but yeah, you should probably be forced to light a fire under your ass to get it handled quickly. It'd be just like saying you can't abort after birth; we're just moving the cutoff forward.

      I'm NOT for forcing any person to do anything with their own body, but surely there are compromises that can be made. And now, my trump card: 90% of all abortions are performed prior to the end of the 1st trimester.... so perhaps it's all a great big non-issue, yeah?

      For me, it's not a liberal or conservative thing; it's a common sense thing.

    17. Re:slippery slope by Jackie_Chan_Fan · · Score: 1

      Ok, lets connect the right dots then.

      The health insurance companies have your entire medical record history and refuse to cover you based on it. Oh wait, thats happening right now.

    18. Re:slippery slope by PoopMonkey · · Score: 2

      They just don't want to be forced to pay for someone else's.

      That's an argument I've never understood anyways. Other people paying for your healthcare is how insurance works to begin with. Do you think your premiums go into your own personal account with the insurance company?

    19. Re:slippery slope by lgw · · Score: 2

      At what point does the "it" become a person, deserving the protection the government gives people? Anyone who's sure of the answer clearly hasn't thought much about it. It's some time betwen conception and birth, it's probably a continuum, not a single event (unless there really is a soul), and that means "somewhere near the middle" is probably the best answer. Probably.

      "As soon as possible" bothers me the least, that's for sure!

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    20. Re:slippery slope by lgw · · Score: 1

      Yeah, that's seems about right to me to. People on the (mainstream) right get pretty worked up about late-term abortions. I'm not sure why outlawing those (excepting "life of the mother") would be controversial, but clearly it is.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    21. Re:slippery slope by b1scuit · · Score: 1

      I don't see any issue with taking responsibility by sucking that thing out of there before it derails 2 lives and increases an already too-high population.

    22. Re:slippery slope by HapSlappy_2222 · · Score: 1

      I'm not sure why outlawing [late-term abortions] (excepting "life of the mother") would be controversial, but clearly it is.

      But is it *actually* controversial, in real life? You know, that place that's outside the media coverage, nutjobs, and political hollering? With very nearly all abortions occurring well within the first trimester*, I really don't think so. It's just another political/ratings weapon that gets pulled out of the scabbard every few years. Late-term abortions are very, very rare, and almost all of THOSE cases exist because of a threat to the mother. Nobody would suffer late-term abortions were outlawed except in the case of danger to the mother, but it also doesn't NEED to be outlawed because it just doesn't happen.

      Unless people are actually arguing abortions are bad from the moment of conception, it's all just much ado about nothing. In the case of those arguing "no abortion, period!"... well, I just don't agree with them, any more than I agree with them about contraception. Since it's impossible to even discuss a compromise in that case, it's that's a non-issue too, unless/until Roe v. Wade gets overturned.

      *88% of abortions occur in the first 12 weeks, with 98.5% occurring before week 21, according to http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html. Definitions of "late term abortion" vary, but generally it's considered between week 16 and 24. I choose to believe viability determines when it's too late, and that doesn't occur until at the very very earliest 22 weeks.

    23. Re:slippery slope by Hatta · · Score: 1

      Why do you assume that it's some time between conception and birth? Is there a logical reason for it, or just your cultural aversion to infanticide?

      We can put some lower bounds on when personhood begins pretty easily with science though. e.g. Thalamocortical projections, which connect the sensory thalamus with the cognitive cortex don't even begin to form until 7 months gestation. Sensory awareness must be a part of any reasonable definition of personhood, and everything we know about the brain indicates that thalamocortical projections are required for awareness. Any threshold for personhood before 7 weeks is anti-scientific.

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
    24. Re:slippery slope by Mashiki · · Score: 1

      You might forget that 'sex' is a lifestyle choice. If you want to go running around fucking like bunnies that's all great and fine. Pay for it on your own dime like everyone else has. Otherwise it's time to grow up and not force everyone to pay for your lifestyle choice.

      --
      Om, nomnomnom...
    25. Re:slippery slope by lgw · · Score: 1

      cultural norms. I had a high school teacher who advocated legalizing "retroactive abortion" until the age of 21, so you never know. There are other possible answers, such as "when the soul enters the body" and "at conception, because increasing the nubmer of the tibe is our sole concern" (the latter is the original resaon for a bunch of religious stuff), but I tend to agree with you here, that sometime between 7 weeks and 7 months is the reasonable answer. But then, I'm not going to claim certainty on that "soul" part - I think it's a bit early (as a technological species) to be sure about that sort of thing: we're still discovering all sorts of stuff that's been right in front of us all along, just hard to detect (e.g., dark matter).

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    26. Re:slippery slope by lgw · · Score: 1

      Well, I fully expect Roe v Wade to be effectively overturned in my lifetime - it never made any constitutional sense, and as the tech for birth control improves, it will stop being necessary socially to keep pretending that it does.

      I don't think rarity is any excuse for not outlawing late-term abortions (excepting yadda yadda): if we have the collective balls to declare a fetus "partially a person" at x months, and "fully a person" at y months, then after y months it has to be a homicide. Of course, I'd be shocked if we ever had a government strong enough to take stands like that, even though few people would really disagree.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    27. Re:slippery slope by HapSlappy_2222 · · Score: 1

      I think you nailed it. Personally, I don't think it matters in practice, so sure, outlaw the outlying cases. But, of course, we don't even have members in government with the balls to team up with their "enemies" to solve problems, let alone take stands that risk constituents. Shrug.

    28. Re:slippery slope by ppanon · · Score: 1

      Look at them. Bloody Catholics! :-)

      I remember somebody telling me that quoted failure rates for birth control don't control for whether the birth control is used properly. The statistics don't even control for whether the method of contraception was used when conception happened, just whether it's the method that is regularly used by the participants. So if they normally use a condom but were too excited that one time they got pregnant, it still counts against condoms.

      Condom breakage/leakage is really low if you apply them properly every time. You also need to do it before contact between the sexual organs happens. Reliability of the pill also improves beyond quoted statistics if you never miss a dose (i.e. not that one week a month that is just filler). However both of those things can be difficult for easily distracted teens and young adults that really just want to get it on.

      --
      Laissez lire, et laissez danser; ces deux amusements ne feront jamais de mal au monde. - Voltaire
    29. Re:slippery slope by dr2chase · · Score: 1

      But not for much longer, unless Obamacare is repealed or court-deactivated. That's part of the quid-pro-quo with the whole mandatory insurance thing -- you must have insurance, they cannot refuse, set an outrageous price, or fail to cover pre-existing conditions. If it wasn't mandatory, we'd game the insurance companies and drive them out of business. If there were regulations on their behavior, they'd F us over but good on terms/conditions/pricing.

    30. Re:slippery slope by ppanon · · Score: 1

      Seriously, it's the 21st century and you are probably in North America or Western Europe. Excepting for the <10% that are post-pubescent and underage, the other 60% don't need to marry you to decide to share their body with you. That's even true for the people married to other spouses, although that can have consequences like divorce (just as any contract breach could result in a dissolution of the contract and associated penalties) but that's their choice.

      P.S. I'm assuming you're not counting the prepubescent in your 70%. Unlike the other criteria you mentioned, there's some very good reasons (not just religious, but scientifically based) why the underage laws are on the books, and should continue to be so for a long time. Um, OK - "underage" could mean something quite different for a manufactured intelligence (AI) :-)

      --
      Laissez lire, et laissez danser; ces deux amusements ne feront jamais de mal au monde. - Voltaire
    31. Re:slippery slope by dr2chase · · Score: 1

      Oh, please. 3rd trimester abortions are rare and expensive, and usually because of horrible problems that would preclude ever being born healthy. Says Wikipedia, in the US, estimated to be 0.08%, or about 1000 per year.

    32. Re:slippery slope by dr2chase · · Score: 1

      Traditional biblical answer is that it's not a person till born. Check the pre-Happy-Meal bibles, Exodus 21:12-27 -- penalty for striking and killing a person, is death. Penalty for striking a pregnant woman and causing her to miscarry, is not death. Ergo, not born, not a person. Word-o-God, can't argue with that, can we?

      But someone's also been fucking with the translation in recent years. Imagine that, politically inspired tinkering with the Inerrant Word. Seems seriously wrong to me.

    33. Re:slippery slope by Mashiki · · Score: 1

      Getting married is a lifestyle choice too. Better get rid of those tax benefits. Oh and giving to charity, remove those tax breaks. Driving a car too, better remove taxes that pay for roads since not everyone uses them.

      Funny. Because in most places there are no tax benefits to being married, in fact it's cost prohibitive now to get married. Someone seems to forget that 'charities' do more work without the overhead of the government. Odd, everyone uses them. Unless you're living in a commune 400 miles from civilization and are fully self-sufficient.

      Time to grow up kid. It doesn't cost more than $12 for 30 condoms, or $9/mo for birth control pills without a drug plan or someone else to cover it.

      --
      Om, nomnomnom...
    34. Re:slippery slope by Hatta · · Score: 1

      I tend to agree with you here, that sometime between 7 weeks and 7 months is the reasonable answer.

      Oops, when I said 7 weeks, I meant 7 months. Any threshold for personhood before 7 months is anti-scientific.

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
    35. Re:slippery slope by Jeng · · Score: 1

      We pay for our birth control, thanks for the non-sequitur.

      Got a question for ya though since you brought it up, and it's one choice or the other, neither is not an option, would you rather pay for contraception or welfare babies?

      --
      Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
    36. Re:slippery slope by yurtinus · · Score: 1

      Oh don't you worry AC Slater, I get plenty of mod points 'cause people just love what I have to say! In all seriousness though - I find a reply an almost universally better addition to the discussion than a moderation, unless there's simply no time.

      --
      +1 Disagree
    37. Re:slippery slope by rohan972 · · Score: 1

      But someone's also been fucking with the translation in recent years. Imagine that, politically inspired tinkering with the Inerrant Word. Seems seriously wrong to me.

      I can't understand how they justify having copyright on the bible. It seems to me that a copyright notice is an explicit declaration that it is not the word of god.

      Nevertheless Exodus 21: 22-25 in the KJV
      If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

      Strong's Concordance (Hebrew 3318) indicates the "depart" is literally to go out of, without the implication of death, so that premature birth rather than miscarriage seems a reasonable reading of this passage, with the penalty based on "eye for an eye" revenge of damage to the baby.
      The same word is used in Genesis 1:12 as: And the earth brought forth grass ... and occurs over 900 times in the old testament. I glanced over a few and none were talking anything like a miscarriage.

      Are you a Christian that supports abortion based on this passage? I suspect not, but if not, why do you care what the bible says anyway?

    38. Re:slippery slope by dr2chase · · Score: 1

      I found the discussion at the cited article more convincing. And it seems to indicate that biblically, not a person till born -- at least, in traditional translations, including but not limited to the KJV, and in particular (if you trust the author) in the original Hebrew.

    39. Re:slippery slope by rohan972 · · Score: 1

      The author of that page seems to be wrong about this. I started checking a few more instances of that word. Although it may well have been translated as miscarriage in that passage it is certainly not necessarily meaning that.

      http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H3318&t=KJV&cscs=Gen
      Here's an online concordance search I found with the definition and list of references:

      Gen 1:12 And the earth brought forth grass
      Gen 1:24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind ...
      Gen 8:16 Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee.
      and several more similar references until we come to a genealogy of Noah's sons:
      Gen 10:14 And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.
      and after a few more references we find Melchizedek's prophesy to Abram:
      Gen 15:4 And, behold, the word of the LORD [came] unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir

      So not even getting past Genesis and there are at least two instances of the word being used to refer to a live birth. I'd need to see much stronger reasoning to be convinced that it's use in one particular passage must only refer to a stillbirth. It variously refers to plants coming out of the ground, people coming out of a structure (ark), residence, city or land, and people being born. Where is any evidence that in Exodus it means stillbirth when it doesn't have that meaning everywhere else (indeed does not have it anywhere else that I have found)?

      I'm not really motivated to further effort to convince you, if you're really interested, look at the definition, look at the references, believe what you want.

  5. Big Brother? by PeanutButterBreath · · Score: 5, Informative

    (b) Limitations on Information Retrieval-

    (1) OWNERSHIP OF DATA- Any data in an event data recorder required under part 563 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, regardless of when the passenger motor vehicle in which it is installed was manufactured, is the property of the owner, or in the case of a leased vehicle, the lessee of the passenger motor vehicle in which the data recorder is installed.

    (2) PRIVACY- Data recorded or transmitted by such a data recorder may not be retrieved by a person other than the owner or lessee of the motor vehicle in which the recorder is installed unless--

    (A) a court authorizes retrieval of the information in furtherance of a legal proceeding;

    (B) the owner or lessee consents to the retrieval of the information for any purpose, including the purpose of diagnosing, servicing, or repairing the motor vehicle;

    (C) the information is retrieved pursuant to an investigation or inspection authorized under section 1131(a) or 30166 of title 49, United States Code, and the personally identifiable information of the owner, lessee, or driver of the vehicle and the vehicle identification number is not disclosed in connection with the retrieved information; or

    (D) the information is retrieved for the purpose of determining the need for, or facilitating, emergency medical response in response to a motor vehicle crash.

    Big deal.

    1. Re:Big Brother? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's a good thing we know from experience that our government only collects data it's legally authorized to collect.

    2. Re:Big Brother? by PeanutButterBreath · · Score: 1

      So do you live completely off the grid to protect yourself form these abuses? Or do you willingly trade vague risks for obvious benefits?

    3. Re:Big Brother? by hendridm · · Score: 2

      It is a big deal, because it's NONE OF THEIR FUCKING BUSINESS.

      And how hard is it to get a warrant?

    4. Re:Big Brother? by girlintraining · · Score: 4, Interesting

      (D) the information is retrieved for the purpose of determining the need for, or facilitating, emergency medical response in response to a motor vehicle crash.

      OnStar approves. Now it can track all vehicles at all times with the blanket disclaimer that it's to facilitate an emergency response. OnStar is a private company. OnStar can then freely share that information with its affiliates, who may be overseas. Data now laundered, and free for sale to anyone who wants it domestically.

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    5. Re:Big Brother? by CanHasDIY · · Score: 4, Interesting

      It's a good thing we know from experience that our government only collects data it "legally" authorizes itself to collect.

      FTFY.

      However, inherent distrust of governing bodies aside, I don't see a problem with the law requiring a warrant for police to collect the data. Were that not stipulated, you and I both know cops would take that as an legitimization of their illegal searches.

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    6. Re:Big Brother? by berashith · · Score: 5, Insightful

      all good until you hit a TSA minded check point that says you must turn over access to the data or you are not allowed to continue driving. You will not be allowed to turn around, you will have to leave the car in their possession. If anything on the recorder indicates that you have been exceeding speed limits , then thse will be ticketable offenses.

      The track record is too severe to trust our govt with this idea.

    7. Re:Big Brother? by SirGarlon · · Score: 1

      And how hard is it to get a warrant?

      I believe that depends on who's asking, and why. :-)

      --
      [Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.
    8. Re:Big Brother? by geekoid · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It is when you are in an accident,.

      Don't like it? then only drive on your own property.

      "And how hard is it to get a warrant?"
      ah, now you are focused on the correct thing.

      Look, everything you do outside of your home is being collected.
      There area lot of advantages to that. The fight shouldn't be not to do it. No one will go with that because the advantages are fer too great to people.
      Fight what the police and corporations can do with it. That's the problem.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    9. Re:Big Brother? by an+unsound+mind · · Score: 4, Informative

      The problem is that most cars already ship with black boxes - ones which have no regulation. This INCREASES data privacy.

    10. Re:Big Brother? by geekoid · · Score: 2

      Got to sign up for on star.

      Also, what data? Yeah, some Chinese hacker want's to know some anonymous person drives to work at 5:30 am and stopped for 3 lights.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    11. Re:Big Brother? by girlintraining · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It is a big deal, because it's NONE OF THEIR FUCKING BUSINESS.

      The use of a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right, and it can be rescinded at any time by the state you live in. Because of so-called motor-vehicle compact laws, you will probably not get another license in any other state. Anything that happens on public roads is their business. If you have a problem with that, you can pay to build private roads and pay for the maintenance of those roads with tolls. Or... you can enjoy free and total access to all public roads, provided you're willing to deal with the fact that they can, are, and will track you. There's no difference between a black box and a camera at every point along the road.

      Be more afraid of what insurance companies will start doing in 30 years when there's a black box in every vehicle. "Well, you can pay $10 a month if you get our 'all your black box are belong to us' plan, or $1,000 a month for our 'standard' plan. Oh, by the way, carrying insurance is mandatory in your state. Well, what's it going to be, Citizen?

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    12. Re:Big Brother? by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It is a big deal, because it's NONE OF THEIR FUCKING BUSINESS.

      Of course, you are operating that vehicle on a public roadway, so how it's operated *is* their fucking business, especially if you break the law, harm someone else or their property.

      --
      It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
    13. Re:Big Brother? by lgw · · Score: 1

      The modern totalitarian state is build on getting people to trade vague risks for obvious (short term) benefits. Repeat as necessary.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    14. Re:Big Brother? by sycodon · · Score: 1

      (D) the information is retrieved for the purpose of determining the need for, or facilitating, emergency medical response in response to a motor vehicle crash.

      Calling Bullshit. The only information necessary for this is the G forces to which the passengers were subjected.

      --
      When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
    15. Re:Big Brother? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Why I sure do hope that my car makes it though the metal detector at the airport.

    16. Re:Big Brother? by lgw · · Score: 1

      No, we should instead have some expectation of privacy in public. That would be a better system. Of course, I'm sure you have a fistful of arguments about why we should all believe "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you".

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    17. Re:Big Brother? by lgw · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Right, our government would never buy all your data from Onstar's Chinese affiliate to work around legal limts. Just like they'd never trade information with a foregn government who spies on American citizens in ways they're forbdden to. Yeah, nothing to see here, move along.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    18. Re:Big Brother? by Jeng · · Score: 1

      If it's a low G crash there is less concern regarding internal injuries.

      If it's a high G crash you might want to keep the person under observation for a night to make sure they are ok.

      It is not intended as a means of of........I'm sorry what you wrote makes no sense. What was the point you were trying to make?

      --
      Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
    19. Re:Big Brother? by jamstar7 · · Score: 1

      (C) the information is retrieved pursuant to an investigation or inspection authorized under section 1131(a) or 30166 of title 49, United States Code, and the personally identifiable information of the owner, lessee, or driver of the vehicle and the vehicle identification number is not disclosed in connection with the retrieved information; or

      As in, those Federally mandated emissions checks most states have in place? Or a New Years Eve 'drunk stop' checkpoint designed to get drunk drivers off the road? Yeah, on first glance, the proposed legislation respects the privacy of the owner, but clauses like this open big wide gaping loopholes just begging for abuse. "Your Honor, at the time I was manning a manditory drunk driver intervention checkpoint and the suspect was acting in a suspcious manner, so persuant to statutes, I did a standard 'read' of his car's black box and found ..."

      --
      Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
    20. Re:Big Brother? by jamstar7 · · Score: 1

      Reread the 'exceptions' clauses of the proposed legislation. Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.

      --
      Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
    21. Re:Big Brother? by girlintraining · · Score: 1

      Also, what data? Yeah, some Chinese hacker want's to know some anonymous person drives to work at 5:30 am and stopped for 3 lights.

      No, some chinese hacker wants to know how many of your aggregate group, the 18-25, male, basement dweller, residing in Portland, OH, passes billboard 1849, 2934, and 186, owned by Clear communications. Since Clear Communications has no way to directly request this data domestically, it will have to approach a reseller overseas who can provide such data. Said chinese hacker infiltrated OnStar's systems about 4 months ago and downloaded the tracking data on 18 million of its customers, of which 16,439 were located in Portland, OH.

      Thus, by selling this data to Clear Communications after removing the personally-identifiable information, the chinese hacker can make a profit on his ill-gotten goods and Clear Communications now has better metrics to provide to anyone who wishes to purchase its ad space. You, sir, need to think outside the box. Just because you can't see any value in your personal data doesn't mean someone else can't find value in it. Facebook has become enormously popular and made some people very, very, rich precisely because it sells your detailed demographic data to such resellers. And even more amusingly -- Facebook isn't built into your computer like OnStar is... People willingly and intentionally allow a company to sell that data for billions of dollars because they think it's worthless.

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    22. Re:Big Brother? by Americano · · Score: 2

      Shouldn't be a problem as long as you arrive with less than three ounces of fluids in the vehicle.

    23. Re:Big Brother? by Arterion · · Score: 1

      The problem is section B.

      You could have all sorts of entities refusing to provides serves unless you consented for them to access your data. Imagine insurance companies requiring access to these boxes in the event of an accident. Don't want to provide it? Then you're not covered. They'll put it in their contract.

      Also, I have had a few occasions where a police officer has pulled me over on some charge, "Sir, you were going 71 mph in a 70 mph speed zone," and then wanted to search my car for contraband. Of course, if you allow them to search, they don't give you the ticket. If you tell them no, they hit you hard with as many as they think they can get away with. (Because you really are guilty until you can prove yourself innocent beyond a reasonable doubt.)

      So it's not a leap of imagination to see the police asking for your "consent" to read your box. You can not give it to them, of course.

      Lots of problems with the "consent" issue because of coercion to give consent, and contractual terms to give consent.

      --
      "That which does not kill us makes us stranger." -Trevor Goodchild
    24. Re:Big Brother? by Americano · · Score: 1

      Yes, things like affected areas of the vehicle (front end collision? side collision? rollover? any ejections?) airbag deployments, whether seatbelts were fastened or not, what area(s) of the car were impacted more than others, how many people were in the vehicle - none of this is useful information for an EMS dispatch.

      We should just have a big g-force sensor in the car, because by gum, that's the only information anybody could ever possibly need.

    25. Re:Big Brother? by the+eric+conspiracy · · Score: 1

      You are SO last year. Insurance companies don't need a black box. They already have little data recorders that they offer you a discount to install in your car.

      http://www.progressive.com/auto/snapshot.aspx

      Say Hi Flo.

    26. Re:Big Brother? by lgw · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Yes, I'm walking in public, but I'M INVISIBLE!

      I don't have my name on my shirt. If I don't call attention to myself, I should have the expectation that no one will remember tomorrow where I walked today. Just because data can be recorded doesn't mean it should be.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    27. Re:Big Brother? by the+eric+conspiracy · · Score: 1

      What is the friken problem here? With a warrant they can already put whatever instrumentation they want on your car and you can bet your sweet bippy it's going to record a butt load more than some generic cheapo black box that Ford (or Hyundai) comes up with.

    28. Re:Big Brother? by operagost · · Score: 1

      OnStar's not even a real private company, as they are a subsidiary of GM. It's child's play to "launder" your private data through them to the government. Fortunately, there is no law that says you have to have an OnStar system-- yet.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    29. Re:Big Brother? by PRMan · · Score: 2

      Exactly. This actually sounds like a good thing. It's both requiring it and putting limits on it so that Toyota can't lie and say they don't have it anymore.

      --
      Peter predicted that you would "deliberately forget" creation 2000 years ago...
    30. Re:Big Brother? by StikyPad · · Score: 1

      And you and I both (should) know that warrants are just a formality. It's good that they're explicitly required, but it only protects against egregious abuse. Your car will still testify against you in a court of law.

    31. Re:Big Brother? by operagost · · Score: 1

      That's about all that was left in the gas tank when I returned the rental car after prepaying for a 0.40 discount per gallon. SUCK IT, BITCHES.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    32. Re:Big Brother? by Bigby · · Score: 1

      That's an assumption. They should have to attach/detach when i get on their road.

    33. Re:Big Brother? by Chris6502 · · Score: 1

      (D) the information is retrieved for the purpose of determining the need for, or facilitating, emergency medical response in response to a motor vehicle crash.

      As an EMT who has attended a number of MVAs I don't need no black box to help me determine whether there was a significant mechanism of injury. I'm certainly not going to be spending time fannying about trying to read out the black box when I have patients who need my help right now.

      I'm sufficiently well trained to determine for myself whether someone requires treatment and I don't see how information from a black box is going to "facilitate" the limited treatments I am permitted to perform as an EMT-B.

      That said, if law enforcement can retrieve info like speed, accelerations etc and transmit that to the receiving facility I can see the utility.

      --
      UNIX: 'cuz you can tattoo it on your knuckles!
    34. Re:Big Brother? by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      If the computer says that the airbag was deployed, and the airbag isn't deployed, the charge was a dud and it could go off any second, so EMTs need to stay out of the way.

      Too bad the EMTs won't be made privy to the information, and even if they are, it wouldn't be until long after they've done their duty.

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    35. Re:Big Brother? by PeanutButterBreath · · Score: 1

      what 'obvious' benefits???

      Error logging on ubiquitous machines that have profound impacts on the daily lives of just about every American (even those that never drive).

    36. Re:Big Brother? by Tassach · · Score: 1

      Big deal.

      It isn't, until the law is subjected to a Scalia-esque re-definition of what "retrieved" means. I'll wager a weeks pay he (or Uncle Thomas or Dread Justice Roberts) could come up with some tortured rationale why letting the cops scan the contents of the device doesn't actually constitute "retrieval".

      EG in Scalia-ese:
      Cops patting you down = not a "search"
      Sex offender registry = not a "punishment"
      Retroactive copyright extension = not "ex-post-facto"

      --
      Why is it that the proponents of "one nation under God" are so eager to get rid of "liberty and justice for all"?
    37. Re:Big Brother? by Jackie_Chan_Fan · · Score: 1

      It's such a scam. Anyone who puts that in their car is a fool.

      Its not even a discount, you have to log in to see your projected discount, which is of course altered by the data it records. Chances are since everyone speeds, you will not the discount they claim. Instead you will likely see a rate increase.

      The insurance industry is about fucking people out of money. It has little to do with providing a service.

    38. Re:Big Brother? by Jackie_Chan_Fan · · Score: 1

      What are the obvious benefits from receiving speeding tickets in the mail?

    39. Re:Big Brother? by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 1

      The use of a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right,

      Bull-fucking-shit.

      Driving is a right that derives directly from the right to freedom of movement. And don't even try to say that freedom of movement means people are able to walk wherever they want but nothing more than that because such an arbitrary limitation would reduce the practicality of freedom of movement to no freedom at all.

      --
      When information is power, privacy is freedom.
    40. Re:Big Brother? by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      Reread the 'exceptions' clauses of the proposed legislation. Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.

      There is no exception clause to Sec. 31406

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    41. Re:Big Brother? by PeanutButterBreath · · Score: 1

      If anything on the recorder indicates that you have been exceeding speed limits , then thse will be ticketable offenses.

      The speeding itself is already a ticketable offense. Speeding is also dangerous and wastes fuel.

      That said, speeding is practically the norm and law enforcement does little about it, despite the public safety hazard and the potential revenue from fines. So, in addition to my total lack of concern about the TSA discovering that I have been speeding, I have no concern about data recorders inspiring a crack down on speeding.

    42. Re:Big Brother? by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      Yes, things like affected areas of the vehicle (front end collision? side collision? rollover? any ejections?) airbag deployments, whether seatbelts were fastened or not, what area(s) of the car were impacted more than others, how many people were in the vehicle - none of this is useful information for an EMS dispatch.

      I detect a hint of sarcasm... to which I return the favor:

      That would be great info for the EMS personnel to have prior to reaching the crash site...

      See what I did there?

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    43. Re:Big Brother? by Tassach · · Score: 4, Informative

      The use of a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right,

      This oft-repeated lie needs to be taken out and shot (along with the people who repeat it)

      REPEAT AFTER ME:
      The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

      There is no enumerated right to have children. Using the same logic, the conclusion is that having children is a privilege that can be revoked at the Government's whim.

      Would the founding fathers have said that riding a horse a privilege? Or a bicycle? Under what rational does using mechanical power instead of muscle power to propel it transform a mode of travel from a right to a privilege?

      --
      Why is it that the proponents of "one nation under God" are so eager to get rid of "liberty and justice for all"?
    44. Re:Big Brother? by Americano · · Score: 1

      And you see no way for police (or a service like OnStar!) to read out this data before EMS arrives, and provide it to the EMS service to let them know what they can expect to see when they arrive on scene?

      Item (D) doesn't say "Only EMS can read this out," it says, "you can't read this out unless you're doing so to assist EMS in responding to a crash."

    45. Re:Big Brother? by BoberFett · · Score: 2

      You're free to disable the OnStar system in a vehicle you own. Are you free to disable the government mandated black box?

    46. Re:Big Brother? by sycodon · · Score: 1

      You get into an injury accident, they always send the Calvary: Ambulance, Fire and Police.

      --
      When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
    47. Re:Big Brother? by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      And you and I both (should) know that warrants are just a formality. It's good that they're explicitly required, but it only protects against egregious abuse. Your car will still testify against you in a court of law.

      Agreed.

      It never ceases to amaze me how many people don't seem to understand - when a cop tells you, "everything you say can and will be used against you," he means just that. Verbatim. Only now, it's not just anything you say, but also anything your car, or cell phone, or computer, etc., etc., etc...

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    48. Re:Big Brother? by Dripdry · · Score: 1

        Please define "section 1131(a) or 30166 of title 49, United States Code"
      That's the an important, ambiguous part as I see it printed. "Investigation or inspection" could EASILY mean that a VIPR team or police officer can stop you and check your data log whenever they want. You know that NDAA thing? I would assume it allows pretty easy circumvention of this law via that little clause in 2.c, but maybe I'm being overly worried.

      I'm sure the insurance industry will be HAPPY to look at those medical records which CONVENIENTLY have your shiny new black box information attached to them under 2.d

      Look, I know there are some good arguments for having something like this, but for heaven's sake the entire idea of being tracked like this is super creepy. What happens when someone gets a hold of this data? What happens if the data is hacked in some way, or tampered with? What if someone maliciously tampers with this, how do you prove that it wasn't you who did it? What will the insurance and legal ramifications be? Lawyers are going to LOVE these little boxes.

      --
      -
    49. Re:Big Brother? by tftp · · Score: 1

      With a warrant they can already put whatever instrumentation they want on your car

      Yes. But this law makes sure that YOU pay for that instrumentation.

      Besides, the government can't install its own spy tools on all cars in the country. But this law attempts to do just that. Isn't it convenient that every driver after 30 minutes on a freeway becomes a hardened criminal?

    50. Re:Big Brother? by Americano · · Score: 1

      So what's better: EMS knows, driving up to the scene, "side impact with rollover and airbag deployment, 2 occupants, one with seatbelt, one without, at 60mph, windshield compromised, with peak deceleration of X..." or "um... some people got in an accident?"

      The more information EMS has driving up, the better prepared they will be to render aid.

    51. Re:Big Brother? by PeanutButterBreath · · Score: 1

      With a warrant they can already put whatever instrumentation they want on your car

      Yes. But this law makes sure that YOU pay for that instrumentation.

      Who pays when law enforcement buys and installs the instrumentation?

    52. Re:Big Brother? by PeanutButterBreath · · Score: 1

      The use of a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right,

      This oft-repeated lie needs to be taken out and shot (along with the people who repeat it)

      It is not a lie. It is a fact of life that you disagree with based on your interpretation of The Constitution. Under current law (State laws, btw), driving is a privilege.

    53. Re:Big Brother? by tftp · · Score: 1

      Speeding is also dangerous and wastes fuel.

      There are plenty of roads that are good for 70 mph but are marked as 55. Modern cars are somewhat better than what was available 40 years ago.

      It is also possible to be speeding while driving under the speed limit. A month ago I was crossing a mountain pass. The speed limit there was 55, I think. I was doing 1 mph at times. Why? Because I couldn't see past the hood of my car because of the snowstorm.

      With regard to fuel, it's the driver's choice, and is completely unrelated to the speed limit. A surgeon may be in a hurry to get to the hospital because his patient developed internal bleeding; should he slow down and save 10 cents? If a worker is about to be late for his shift, should he save 15 cents on fuel and lose his job?

    54. Re:Big Brother? by LordLucless · · Score: 1

      The use of a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right, and it can be rescinded at any time by the state you live in

      Almost. The use of a motor vehicle on a public road is a privilege, not a right. Driving around your own property (or other private property, assuming permission of the owner) is your own damn business.

      --
      Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face
    55. Re:Big Brother? by ArsonSmith · · Score: 1

      ... Under what rational does using mechanical power instead of muscle power to propel it transform a mode of travel from a right to a privilege?

      The part where they determine who owns what that mechanical device is sitting on. The right to freedom of movement is good and all as long as it's not on federal, state or city roads and highways.

      --
      Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
    56. Re:Big Brother? by tftp · · Score: 1

      Who pays when law enforcement buys and installs the instrumentation?

      OK, let me rephrase then. The new law makes sure that every car owner pays a new invisible tax. Works for Obamacare...

      P.S. This "Slow down, Cowboy" thing on /. is extremely annoying. What are they trying to do there? I'm not aware of any other blog that has such a silly constraint. Sane blogs *want* people to post, but /. chases them away. Good that I even noticed that the post didn't go through.

    57. Re:Big Brother? by Nihilomnis · · Score: 1

      Someone mod him or her up please, my mod points expired. I think the problem arises from people arbitrarily (and probably subconsciously) choosing between a nihilistic view and that of whatever other view there is (idk optimism? religion?). For some reason the word "right" (and its underlying concept) is a moving point. DOESCHROMEKILLANYONEELSESFORMATTING?ALSONEWPARAGRAPH. Honestly I say fuck the constitution, simply because I don't like people needing to quote a piece of paper to do what they want. Golden Rule + "Right" to do WHATEVER one pleases. So basically I can do WHATEVER I like, unless it directly and non-consentually hurts someone (indirectly as well, but victimless crimes are not crimes). DOESCHROMEKILLANYONEELSESFORMATTING?ALSONEWPARAGRAPH. Piss in the street? Sure just so long as I don't get it on anyone and sanitize the area afterwards. Fight to the death in a consentual duel? Sure, basically same rules as previous. Use some Ecstasy, Heroine, Crack, Ganja? Sure just so long as I don't try driving or something similar while influenced. etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

    58. Re:Big Brother? by Wingman+5 · · Score: 1

      The use of a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right, and it can be rescinded at any time by the state you live in

      Almost. The use of a motor vehicle on a public road is a privilege, not a right. Driving around your own property (or other private property, assuming permission of the owner) is your own damn business.

      Maybe you should read the rest of the paragraph before trying to tell the GP he is wrong

      The use of a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right, and it can be rescinded at any time by the state you live in. Because of so-called motor-vehicle compact laws, you will probably not get another license in any other state. Anything that happens on public roads is their business. If you have a problem with that, you can pay to build private roads and pay for the maintenance of those roads with tolls.

    59. Re:Big Brother? by mark-t · · Score: 1

      If I don't call attention to myself, I should have the expectation that no one will remember tomorrow where I walked today

      Agreed... but the problem is that when you are going out into public, you *ARE* doing something that could conceivably draw attention to yourself, even without you meaning to. What if, for example, somebody happened to think you were good looking, or whatnot?

      In public, you have no inalienable right to privacy. Get over it. You want privacy? Stay on your own property and don't ever leave.

    60. Re:Big Brother? by LordLucless · · Score: 1

      Or she, in this case.

      The rest of her post doesn't make her opening sentence any more wrong, and you don't need to replicate public infrastructure in order to drive a vehicle. I know quite a few friend who learnt how to drive, unlicensed, on private property in a paddock basher.

      --
      Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face
    61. Re:Big Brother? by dfghjk · · Score: 1

      They can also rescind your voting rights, so by your logic voting is a privilege as well. What's that? They can't rescind your voting rights for no reason? But they can rescind your driving privilege if you don't, say, waive your constitutional rights? I think your need to think that through a little better.

      Interesting that you think the government can forcibly take your money, spend it on public resources, and then decide arbitrarily whether you get access. In a free society the government doesn't own you, it's there to serve you.

      Just because something is a privilege doesn't mean the standard can be applied capriciously. Driving is a privilege only in that the government has a public safety interest. They don't get to hold your constitutional rights hostage.

    62. Re:Big Brother? by Tassach · · Score: 1

      It is not a lie. It is a fact of life that you disagree with based on your interpretation of The Constitution. Under current law (State laws, btw), driving is a privilege.

      The fact remains that the current law is incompatible with the explicit text, not to mention the spirit, of the Constitution. The Fugitive Slave Act was once "current law". The Alien and Sedition act was once "current law". The Alien Enemies Act and Executive Order 9066 were once "current law". None were ever right, all of them are a stain on our national honor.

      The fact that we've surrendered our RIGHT to travel freely on public highways using normal and customary conveyances without a peep is just pathetic. It's going to remain a "privilege" as long as PEOPLE LIKE YOU keep believing the LIE.

      --
      Why is it that the proponents of "one nation under God" are so eager to get rid of "liberty and justice for all"?
    63. Re:Big Brother? by charlesr44403 · · Score: 1

      How lovely to see the "privilege" mantra that's drilled so deep into our heads dragged out to justify even more intrusion. Alex Jones says this will include a microphone in the car and voice recording. Has anyone seen this from any other source? I can hope tha Alex went off the deep end there, but I am sure that by 2015 the "privilege" mantra wil be able to wear down the outrage and have us accept even this.

    64. Re:Big Brother? by PeanutButterBreath · · Score: 1

      OK, let me rephrase then. The new law makes sure that every car owner pays a new invisible tax.

      This "tax" is applied via retail prices, where at least there is some (hypothetical) mechanism to keep it low and or offset it with other discounts, so that car sellers can maintain a price advantage.

      Moveover this "tax" is only applied to car owners, whereas the cost of law enforcement surveillance is passed by everyone, including those who do not own cars.

    65. Re:Big Brother? by Tassach · · Score: 1

      The part where they determine who owns what that mechanical device is sitting on.

      What part of "public" don't you understand?

      --
      Why is it that the proponents of "one nation under God" are so eager to get rid of "liberty and justice for all"?
    66. Re:Big Brother? by PeanutButterBreath · · Score: 1

      You talk about "government" and "us" as though they were distinct entities. If you recognize that they are one and the same, you'll realize that a) government can do many potentially scary things that harm a lot of people and b) government rarely does such things, especially when they might interfere with the status quo.

      I have zero fear that government rules will severely restrict driving privileges, even though I know all kinds of potential misguided and downright corrupt possibilities exist, with virtually no real protection against even the most capricious rules. After all, its pretty hard to get your driving privileges revoked in any meaningful way, even when you are a repeated and blatant hazard to public safety.

    67. Re:Big Brother? by Jeremi · · Score: 1

      Your car will still testify against you in a court of law.

      Of course, the other side of the coin is that your car can also testify for you in a court of law. More evidence is not necessarily a bad thing, especially if it proves your innocence. I certainly would prefer a computer log to eyewitness testimony, which is the status quo and is horribly unreliable.

      --


      I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.
    68. Re:Big Brother? by Jeremi · · Score: 1

      If I don't call attention to myself, I should have the expectation that no one will remember tomorrow where I walked today.

      I'm guessing you don't live in a small town... ;)

      --


      I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.
    69. Re:Big Brother? by girlintraining · · Score: 1, Insightful

      This oft-repeated lie needs to be taken out and shot (along with the people who repeat it)

      Threatening violence on the internet? You must be very brave, good sir.

      The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

      I welcome you to offer your legal services to someone having their license revoked for vehicular homicide and driving while under the influence. I am certain the judge, jury, and families of the victims will all be impressed with your arguments.

      There is no enumerated right to have children. Using the same logic,

      Comparing something done between two consenting adults in private which mostly affects only themselves with something done in public having potentially life-ending consequences for both the involved and uninvolved is not using the same logic.

      Would the founding fathers have said that riding a horse a privilege? Or a bicycle?

      No. However, I am certain that if they were alive today they would certainly regret writing the Constitution and it's first ten amendments with such brevity and prose as to give certain citizens the notion that the Constitution gave them the rights to act however they please in public.

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    70. Re:Big Brother? by girlintraining · · Score: 1

      Driving is a right that derives directly from the right to freedom of movement.

      Try not paying your license renewal fee on the basis that driving is a "right". I'm sure the officer that pulls you over for your expired license will be so impressed by your understanding of Constitutional law he will tear up the ticket and send you on your way, completely ignoring the smell of liquor on your breath and the Toyota Corolla crushed up under your wheel well.

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    71. Re:Big Brother? by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 1

      Is that really the justification for your belief that "driving is a privilege?"

      If that's your argument, you are going to have to reconcile it with the exact same issue of firearms permits.

      --
      When information is power, privacy is freedom.
    72. Re:Big Brother? by girlintraining · · Score: 1

      Is that really the justification for your belief that "driving is a privilege?"

      It's not a belief. It is a matter of law. My belief is that you're incapable of admitting you're wrong and were probably neglected by your father. One is firmly established in many textbooks and independently verifiable, the other is speculation.

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    73. Re:Big Brother? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Under what rational does using mechanical power instead of muscle power to propel it transform a mode of travel from a right to a privilege?

      under the rationale that you need a license to drive.

    74. Re:Big Brother? by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 1

      It's not a belief. It is a matter of law ... firmly established in many textbooks and independently verifiable

      Ah, false appeal to authority, textbooks even.
      So, you've given up on your original argument that rights that are not absolute are not rights at all, then? Good, because that was a lame-ass, knee-jerk argument to begin with.

      The problem with your "firmly established" belief is that for every citation in favor of your belief there is one in opposition. Here's a handful, there's more where they came from...

      • "The right of the citizen to travel upon the public highways and to transport his property thereon, either by carriage or by automobile, is not a mere privilege which a city may prohibit or permit at will, but a common law right which he has under the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Thompson v. Smith, 154 SE 579.
      • The right to travel is a part of the liberty of which the citizen cannot be deprived without due process of law under the Fifth Amendment." Kent v. Dulles, 357 US 116, 125.
      • "The right to travel is a well-established common right that does not owe its existence to the federal government. It is recognized by the courts as a natural right." Schactman v. Dulles 96 App DC 287, 225 F2d 938, at 941.

      So, with your bullshit out of the way, we are back to applying critical thinking skills.
      The freedom of movement that is constricted to walking alone is no freedom at all.

      --
      When information is power, privacy is freedom.
    75. Re:Big Brother? by jamstar7 · · Score: 1

      Reread the 'exceptions' clauses of the proposed legislation. Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.

      There is no exception clause to Sec. 31406

      GP reverenced Sec 1131(a) and Sec. 30166 not Sec. 31406. I'm not personally familiar with any of these, but the existance of the loophole says the cops CAN download the data 'pursuant to an investigation or inspection' under those sections, doesn't say anything about a warrant, and in today's climate, assume the worst.

      --
      Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
    76. Re:Big Brother? by girlintraining · · Score: 1

      Ah, false appeal to authority, textbooks even.

      You clearly don't know what 'appeal to authority' means. Go ahead, google that too... I can wait. -_-

      So, you've given up on your original argument that

      This is not an argument, or a discussion. It is you attempting to sound intelligent about a topic you obviously know nothing about, and rather than admit this, you're trying to change the topic under discussion to something else in a rather pathetic attempt at ego preservation.

      "The right of the citizen to travel upon the public highways and to transport his property thereon, either by carriage or by automobile, is not a mere privilege which a city may prohibit or permit at will, but a common law right which he has under the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

      Yes, that is an excerb from Thompson v. Smith, which is generally taken out of context by armchair lawyers who live in basements. If you had read the full text of it, rather than just quickly googling for whatever supported the idiot statement you made 3 posts ago, you'd know that this case only affirms the 4th amendment as it pertains to the transport of goods and materials. The justices never said you can drive on public roads without a license, or that the state could not deprive you of the priviledge of operating a motor vehicle on public roadways. The right to travel means you can leave the country, or move between states, cities, etc., freely. It does not grant you any rights to a particular mode of transportation.

      The right to travel is a part of the liberty of which the citizen cannot be deprived without due process of law under the Fifth Amendment."

      Kent v. Dulles is another case commonly cited by the illiterati... it centers around a case where the government attempted to prevent a person from travelling abroad because they were a communist. The Supreme Court ruled that the government could not restrict a person's travel on the basis of their political beliefs. Again, it has nothing to do with the requirement that you have a valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle on public roadways.

      "The right to travel is a well-established common right that does not owe its existence to the federal government. It is recognized by the courts as a natural right."

      It's the same subject matter as Kent v. Dulles -- the government again attempts to prevent someone from obtaining a passport based on their political beliefs. They fail, rather like your attempts to sound intelligent on a topic you apparently have now spent a total of five minutes aquainting yourself with.

      we are back to applying critical thinking skills.

      I never left. You on the other hand apparently believe 30 seconds on google is enough to carry the day, serving up crackpot interpretations of law that no legal scholar would give the time of day.

      A driver's license is a priviledge, not a right.

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    77. Re:Big Brother? by girlintraining · · Score: 1

      They can also rescind your voting rights, so by your logic voting is a privilege as well

      Actually, if you're a convicted felon, you lose the right to vote, or own a firearm, amongst other things. But that's neither here nor there... you're making an apples to oranges comparison. The Constitution states that no right can be deprived without due process of law; which basically means, until you break a law, you have that right. A priviledge is something you don't have to break a law to be denied; in the case of a driver's license, if you are legally blind, that priviledge will not be extended to you. However, even if you are deaf, blind, retarded, and so disabled that your only voluntary muscle control is by blinking... you are still allowed to vote, unless you somehow manage to commit a felony... somehow... using only the power of blinking...

      Too many people these days think 'rights' are some kind of absolute and they aren't. All it means is you have to be charged and convicted of something to lose it, and generally... even then you don't unless the case can be made that doing so is in the public's best interest.

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    78. Re:Big Brother? by ArsonSmith · · Score: 1

      which part do you not understand?

      --
      Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
    79. Re:Big Brother? by srmalloy · · Score: 1

      49 USC 30166 (c) Matters That Can Be Inspected and Impoundment.— In carrying out this chapter, an officer or employee designated by the Secretary of Transportation—
      (1) at reasonable times, may inspect and copy any record related to this chapter;

      (no definition of 'reasonable' is given, but the data in the black box is certainly a 'record')
      (3) at reasonable times, in a reasonable way, and on display of proper credentials and written notice to an owner, operator, or agent in charge, may—
      (B) enter and inspect with reasonable promptness premises at which a vehicle or equipment involved in a motor vehicle accident is located;
      (C) inspect with reasonable promptness that vehicle or equipment; and
      (D) impound for not more than 72 hours a vehicle or equipment involved in a motor vehicle accident.

      (Note carefully that the statute only specifies "...involved in a motor vehicle accident" -- it does not specify that there has to be some temporal connection between the accident and the inspection. By stretching the definition, if your car has ever been involved in an accident, someone from DoT can show up at your door and require you to allow them to inspect not only your car but your home without the bothersome requirement of getting a warrant first But we all know that the government would never stoop to such tactics -- or decide that criminal evidence the inspector just happens to come across in the course of their inspection is either a) admissible as evidence, or b) constitute sufficient cause to permit a search warrant to be issued.)

    80. Re:Big Brother? by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 1

      You clearly don't know what 'appeal to authority' means. Go ahead, google that too... I can wait. -_-

      All you did was hand-wave about textbooks and laws. Then you bolded your beliefs but have yet to do anything to support your claim. I think you've created a new logical fallacy, proof by bolding.

      Here's some more bait for you...

      • "... the right of the citizen to drive on a public street with freedom from police interference... is a fundamental constitutional right" -White, 97 Cal.App.3d.141, 158 Cal.Rptr. 562, 566-67 (1979)
      • "citizens have a right to drive upon the public streets of the District of Columbia or any other city absent a constitutionally sound reason for limiting their access." Caneisha Mills v. D.C. 2009
      • "The use of the automobile as a necessary adjunct to the earning of a livelihood in modern life requires us in the interest of realism to conclude that the right to use an automobile on the public highways partakes of the nature of a liberty within the meaning of the Constitutional guarantees. . ." Berberian v. Lussier (1958) 139 A2d 869, 872, See also: Schecter v. Killingsworth, 380 P.2d 136, 140; 93 Ariz. 273 (1963).
      • "The right to operate a motor vehicle [an automobile] upon the public streets and highways is not a mere privilege. It is a right of liberty, the enjoyment of which is protected by the guarantees of the federal and state constitutions." Adams v. City of Pocatello, 416 P.2d 46, 48; 91 Idaho 99 (1966).
      • "The right of the citizen to drive on the public street with freedom from police interference, unless he is engaged in suspicious conduct associated in some manner with criminality is a fundamental constitutional right which must be protected by the courts." People v. Horton 14 Cal. App. 3rd 667 (1971)
      • "Every citizen has an unalienable right to make use of the public highways of the state; every Citizen has full freedom to travel from place to place in the enjoyment of life and liberty." People v. Nothaus, 147 Colo. 210.

      The justices never said you can drive on public roads without a license,

      Guess what? Neither did I. You are so hung up on absolute rights being the only kind of right that you went down that rabbit hole all on your own.

      --
      When information is power, privacy is freedom.
    81. Re:Big Brother? by DMUTPeregrine · · Score: 1

      Partially correct: Riding a vehicle is a right. On private land you can drive a vehicle without a license. On public land (such as all major roads), that is not the case.

      --
      Not a sentence!
    82. Re:Big Brother? by Alioth · · Score: 1

      It's also likely that your car may testify FOR you and against the other guy in a court of law.

    83. Re:Big Brother? by bky1701 · · Score: 1

      "The use of a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right, and it can be rescinded at any time by the state you live in."

      The use of the internet is a privilege, not a right, and it can be rescinded at any time by the state you live in.

    84. Re:Big Brother? by Mr+Bubble · · Score: 1

      Fight what the police and corporations can do with it. That's the problem.

      This assumes transparency and honesty on the part of these entities. I think many in law enforcement are honest and decent and many are not. I also note that law enforcement is hostile to transparency - witness the uproar about citizens videotaping police.

      --
      "The world is a construct of forceful imagination. Those who don't know walk around in the reailties of those who do"
    85. Re:Big Brother? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Look, everything you do outside of your home is being collected.
      There area lot of advantages to that. The fight shouldn't be not to do it. No one will go with that because the advantages are fer too great to people.

      there are a lot of disadvantages to it. the fight SHOULD be not to do it. No one will go with that because they don't fucking care.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    86. Re:Big Brother? by berashith · · Score: 1

      being caught speeding is an important piece of the equation. There may be reasons or circumstances that would make it ok for the car to have been above 65 at a previous point in time. With the current record of quality security officers, I fear anything that allows for lazy enforcement.

    87. Re:Big Brother? by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      I have wondered if those things work on vehicles that are older and especially the ones with the positive ground.

      --
      Time to offend someone
    88. Re:Big Brother? by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      And that is where people get confused. This is really a separation of powers issue between the states and the feds. As the constitution silent on as it relates to the feds driving it is left up to the states (assuming there aren't any interstate commerce clause issues).

      --
      Time to offend someone
    89. Re:Big Brother? by girlintraining · · Score: 1

      You are so hung up on absolute rights being the only kind of right that you went down that rabbit hole all on your own.

      You're talking about yourself in the third person again.

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    90. Re:Big Brother? by T+Murphy · · Score: 1

      You have a right to ride in a car or have kids, you have to earn the privalege to drive a car or deliver children.

    91. Re:Big Brother? by outofluck70 · · Score: 1

      having children is a privilege that should be revoked at the Government's whim.

      FTFY. Have you been stuck on a plane with some of these little monsters?

    92. Re:Big Brother? by L.+J.+Beauregard · · Score: 1

      (B) the owner or lessee consents to the retrieval of the information for any purpose, including the purpose of diagnosing, servicing, or repairing the motor vehicle;

      And here, Mr. Policyholder, is the consent form you'll have to sign if you want us to pay your claim.

      --
      Ooh, moderator points! Five more idjits go to Minus One Hell!
      Delendae sunt RIAA, MPAA et Windoze
    93. Re:Big Brother? by Dracophile · · Score: 1

      Wait a minute... doesn't that restrict your Federal government and not your State governments?

      --
      Athy, athier, athiest.
  6. public roads = public rules by bigtrike · · Score: 1

    We should go back to private roads so this isn't an issue.

  7. just in time... by spywhere · · Score: 1

    soooo glad I just ordered a new 2012 hemi Charger.

    1. Re:just in time... by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 2

      Your 2012 Charger almost certainly already has a "black box" as do most cars built since the mid 1990's.

      --
      If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
    2. Re:just in time... by SJHillman · · Score: 4, Funny

      Then you'll be happy to know that all Dodge Chargers since 2006 already have these installed.

    3. Re:just in time... by geekoid · · Score: 2

      haha, someone bought into the Hemi psuedo engineering.

      Man, you where scammed.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    4. Re:just in time... by Ihmhi · · Score: 1

      What defines what "year" a car is?

      It's the "Cannon Problem" all over again. Here's the story as I was told it:

      A European city has an old cannon that has faithfully served its nation and has since been retired to a display piece. A wheel breaks and is replaced with a new one. Eventually the other wheel breaks. Then the barrel cracks, and eventually it rusts so badly that it is replaced altogether. Is it still the same cannon?

      So what "year" was a car made if the chassis was from 2010, the engine is from 2017, the transmission is from 2013, and the ECU is from 2008 and running custom firmware? There are so many loopholes that this isn't even funny.

      I suppose they could pull the "street legal" thing - if it doesn't have this recorder, it's street legal. But then again there's loopholes there, too. Does the recorder have to actually be hooked up, or just present in the vehicle? Who says the data has to be readable - maybe I've also installed this really nice speaking in my engine block that happens to rely on a very powerful magnet. And so on.

      I have faith in the geeks that if this passes we will have a dozen ways around it in a year. Meanwhile, Used Auto Dealers are salivating.

      I do think it's a horrible idea, though.

    5. Re:just in time... by JeanCroix · · Score: 1

      Hemi psuedo engineering.

      Ok, I'll bite. Citation needed. Or is successful troll successful?

    6. Re:just in time... by PeanutButterBreath · · Score: 1

      I have faith in the geeks that if this passes we will have a dozen ways around it in a year.

      I also have faith in geeks, except mine tells me that they will be geeking out over access to this data and ways it can be used to optimize their maintenance and driving habits, avoid shady classified car sellers, etc.

    7. Re:just in time... by toddestan · · Score: 1

      So what "year" was a car made if the chassis was from 2010, the engine is from 2017, the transmission is from 2013, and the ECU is from 2008 and running custom firmware? There are so many loopholes that this isn't even funny.

      Easy. When you register the car with the DMV, you have to give them a VIN. And that VIN will have a model year baked into it, and that's what year they'll consider the car to be.

    8. Re:just in time... by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      After dealing with related issues for determining what year a vehicle is the correct answer is actually the age of the VIN plate. I have been around older vehicles for years and that is what determines the age of the vehicle. There also becomes some question about older vehicles as the VIN plates were attached until the vehicle sold so the VIN may say it is a 1968 (when it was sold) but the vehicle may have actually been manufactured in 1967 and just sat a long time on the dealers lot until it was actually sold. If you have a vehicle that you restored but it doesn't have a VIN then it is treated as a kit car and you would need to go down to the DMV (DVS in Minnesota) and get a VIN assigned (my father had to do this with his 1936 International Harvester truck).

      --
      Time to offend someone
    9. Re:just in time... by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      Maybe it was in reference to the lack of valve options that Hemi engines have, mostly due to the head geometry. A true Hemi only allows for 2 valves per cylinder, granted these can be quite large which was one of the benefits of the original Hemi engines (as well as having better spark plug placement). The Chrysler Hemi head was an improvement over older cross flow heads.The 2 large valve setup works quite well for engines with forced induction, but better flow can be achieved on naturally asperaited engines with a multiple intake and exhaust valve setup which cannot be achieved with a Hemi. It might also be in regards to some of the emission, quench (need a higher octane to prevent pinging that other comparable engines), and swirl issues that arise from a Hemi head. If you are interested this is worth a quick read.

      --
      Time to offend someone
    10. Re:just in time... by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      This is why my next car is going to be my 68 MG midget. Well that is the excuse I give my wife.

      --
      Time to offend someone
    11. Re:just in time... by Ihmhi · · Score: 1

      Okay then, but the VIN is... what, on the firewall, dashboard, and driver's side door? So if I have all three of those pieces from any car intact, in theory I could build anything else around it and it'd be a car from 1996 or something? o_O

  8. Here's what it records by djdanlib · · Score: 5, Informative

    This Black Box is similar to stuff that's already IN your car, and airplanes, etc. Here is the legislature that will be revised to *require* the devices, so you can look at the details of what's being required.

    http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=adfa70d7fb0603db957cef53e728148f&rgn=div5&view=text&node=49:6.1.2.3.31&idno=49

    Particularly, check the latter sections. "Each vehicle equipped with an EDR must meet the requirements specified in 563.7 for data elements, 563.8 for data format, 563.9 for data capture, 563.10 for crash test performance and survivability, and 563.11 for information in owner's manual."

  9. Re:Hollywood-style solution by Barbara,+not+Barbie · · Score: 1

    I keep waiting for the day when controlled burst EMP becomes the weapon of the revolution. My car is one of the few that does not even have an on-board computer.

    By the early '70s, most cars had electronic ignition (even if they still had a set of points), which is also vulnerable to EMP. Also, your radio is vulnerable even if you have a diesel engine. And your 8-track tapes will be erased (and not only will nothing of value will be lost, but the world will be a better place).

    --
    Let's call it what it is, Anti-Social Media.
  10. Oh, for fark's sake... by jfengel · · Score: 2

    Can you find a source for this information a bit more reliable than Infowars? I accidentally clicked on it and now I have to go wash my mouse and monitor.

  11. Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 5, Informative

    "Virtually every car that has an air bag has some kind of recording ability," says James Casassa, of Wolf Forensics which specializes in downloading crash information from vehicles made by GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota and Honda. The recorders capture information about how fast you were going and whether you slammed on the brakes in the seconds before and after a crash. They capture just a snapshot before and after a crash, not a continual record of your driving activity -- which would be far more concerning for privacy. (But don't worry! You can get a far more invasive event recorder from your insurance company if you're looking to lower your car insurance rates.)

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/04/19/hate-to-break-it-to-you-but-your-car-likely-has-a-black-box-spying-on-you-already/

    --
    "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
    Never been known to fail..."
    1. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Oh hell no! Not only does my car NOT have a black box - since it's a '68 without electronic ignition I'll still be driving while all you fools with new cars are stranded after a atmospheric nuclear blast

    2. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      No you won't, you'll burn out a set of points and get stranded on the side of the road, like you used to see every hundred yards or so on the highways in 1968.

    3. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by hAckz0r · · Score: 4, Insightful
      I would generally agree with your assessment. My only issue is that the wording of the Bill is somewhat open-ended, in that it does not say any specific requirements for what gets recorded, only a general statement on "safety" related data. The issue is it could have a type of 'feature creep" where certain organizations push for somewhat unrelated metrics to be collected under the general guise of safety. Is GPS position history safety related? Some might argue it is. I think that any bill passed should enumerate exactly what details are to be recorded, after all, the auto companies need to know what kind of sensors are to be deployed otherwise the costs will eventually get out of hand as new requirements are added. The Government has a history of moving the goal posts if they are not nailed down first.

      shall require event data recorders to capture and store data related to motor vehicle safety covering a reasonable time period before, during, and after a motor vehicle crash or airbag deployment, including a rollover;

    4. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by Beardo+the+Bearded · · Score: 5, Funny

      I have a bicycle, so I laugh at your post-apocalyptic dependence on fossil fuels.

      Since, you know, I'm a farmer, doctor, engineer, and marksman. Also my bike doesn't require lubricant or tires for some reason.

      --

      ---
      ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
    5. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      The bill references Title 49 part 563 of the US Code of Federal Regulations, which you can find here.

      http://www.harristechnical.com/downloads/49CFR563.pdf

      No GPS position. Speed, throttle, steering, seatbelt use, airbag deployment, etc. etc. are there.

    6. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 2

      Also, if your car as On*Star, snip the antennae, and short the thing out.

      They track your location, and listen to your cabin conversations in real-time.

      --
      "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
      Never been known to fail..."
    7. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by __aaeihw9960 · · Score: 1

      Can you provide proof of this, Mr. Cornelius?

    8. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by cayenne8 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      No GPS position. Speed, throttle, steering, seatbelt use, airbag deployment, etc. etc. are there

      Well, once you get all this in the car....not a problem next year, adding a rider to the "We love children and have to protect them act"..which requires GPS, and also transmittable to authorities information.

      I mean...it *is* already on the car...we're just adding a new safety feature.

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    9. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by pushing-robot · · Score: 1

      Furthermore, you are sending this message from the 1880s via your amazing printing time-telegraph.

      --
      How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
    10. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 1

      Sorry. Only first-hand anecdote.

      --
      "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
      Never been known to fail..."
    11. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by Jeng · · Score: 2

      So they listen to everyones conversations in real-time?

      That would take around an eighth or a quarter of society to accomplish.

      Even if they recorded everything and converted everything to text that would still be so much information it would be a significant portion of all information transmitted over the internet.

      I have a Hyundai, it has their version of Onstar called Bluelink, they can track just about any feature of my car at will, but their network is still young as is their software so I rather doubt they do any real time anything.

      --
      Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
    12. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by Beardo+the+Bearded · · Score: 1

      I end up replacing a set of tires every year on average.

      --

      ---
      ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
    13. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by bgarcia · · Score: 1

      My car is electric you insensitive clod!

      --
      I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.
    14. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by readin · · Score: 1

      I would generally agree with your assessment. My only issue is that the wording of the Bill is somewhat open-ended, in that it does not say any specific requirements for what gets recorded, only a general statement on "safety" related data.

      If the bill specified exactly what "safety" related data could be collected, that would take too much power away from presidential appointees and congressional committees who will continue to redefine the meaning of "safety related data" every year, thus providing lobbyists new reasons to give them money every year. If we take away the arbitrary power of our leaders, their campaign funding will start to dry up. We can't have that!

      --
      I often don't like the choices people make, but I like the fact that people make choices. That's why I'm a conservative.
    15. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by RightwingNutjob · · Score: 1

      No, that's something that ought to be reserved for the Fluffy Bunnies Protection Act.

    16. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by flaming+error · · Score: 2

      They don't have to monitor everybody all the time. All that matters is that they can do it, and that Murphy's Law happens.

    17. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by triffid_98 · · Score: 2

      Well, per the 2003 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision it's not legal to do so(*) but it's perfectly simple to do and the occupants of the vehicle are not alerted that it's happening.

      link

      (*) this decision is only applicable in California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, Hawaii, and other states that fall within the 9th Circuit's jurisdiction.

    18. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by Beardo+the+Bearded · · Score: 1

      Because I've got a bike? Jessica's made out of materials that are, shall we say, little more recently developed than what's on most production cars.

      Yes, my bike has a name, and yes, she is very pretty.

      --

      ---
      ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
    19. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by hairyfeet · · Score: 1

      And all of us stealing gas to drive our mad max vehicles to escape the zombie hoards will be most grateful for your sacrifice! Remember folks when it comes to zombie hoards one poor dumb bastard on a bicycle can buy you precious seconds to escape! Of course the zombies would be considered VERY green as they are all biodegradable. BTW could you tie some bells or clackers to your bike to attract more of them to you? Thanks.

      As for TFA which insurance company bribed...err I mean "contributed" to get this tax added to everyone? Got to love how you can pass any cost you want onto Americans just by throwing a few Shekels to the right whores.

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
    20. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by djlowe · · Score: 1

      I have a bicycle, so I laugh at your post-apocalyptic dependence on fossil fuels.

      While I admire your attempt at post-apocalyptic transportation independence, *I*, using my psionic abilities, maneuvered my employer to relocating to new, larger facilities, 1.7 miles from my home (previously 3 miles from my home, though I had no sway in that decision, as they were in that location before I worked for them).

      So, possessing two functioning legs, I laugh at your reliance on contrived mechanical transportation!

      In admiration and respect, I remain, your humble servant -

      dj

      P.S. While I have not your other qualifications, I am, admittedly self-professed, a gentleman, a scholar and a judge of fine women and wine.. and there's damned few of us left! *grin*

    21. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by Rick17JJ · · Score: 1

      I live upstairs from where I work, so even without using my bicycle I do not use much gasoline or put many miles per year on my truck. Several grocery stores are within about 4 miles or so from home, so I do not use much gasoline driving to and from the grocery store. I also do much of my shopping at Amazon.com, which does not require my having to drive anywhere.

      It usually takes about 25 years, to put enough miles on my car or truck to wear one out. I have been planning to have the engine on my 1992 GMC truck overhauled, whenever the engine wears out sometime in the next 10 years or so. After that, I plan to drive it for another 20 to 25 years. So, I might need to buy a new car or truck in about the year 2030 to 2040 time frame.

      I have occasionally thought about possibly getting suitable racks on my bicycle (or even a bicycle trailer), so that it could carry several bags of groceries. Then, if I used my bicycle for the short trips to and from the grocery store, I would rarely ever need to drive my truck at all. In that case, I would drive so few miles per year, that I would die of old age, long before my truck ever wears out.

      I am not a serious bicyclist, so I don't know if using my bicycle for grocery shopping would be practical or not. For any of those 3 grocery stores, a major portion of the route would be on the nearby dirt hiking/bicycling trails, with only one major intersection with that has stop light. If I were to do that, I am thinking that it might be best to use an inexpensive old used bicycle, which is hardly worth stealing, and then lock it up in front of the stores front window, or in front of one of their security cameras.

      I am a slightly overweight middle-aged guy who could use the exercise anyway.

    22. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by riboch · · Score: 1

      Better call the RIAA and ASCAP, I believe that is an unauthorised recording if I am listening to music.

      --
      GO BLUE!
    23. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by MrKaos · · Score: 1

      I have a bicycle, so I laugh at your post-apocalyptic dependence on fossil fuels.

      Since, you know, I'm a farmer, doctor, engineer, and marksman. Also my bike doesn't require lubricant or tires for some reason.

      What an effort walking has become.

      --
      My ism, it's full of beliefs.
    24. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by Beardo+the+Bearded · · Score: 1

      I am a slightly overweight middle-aged guy who could use the exercise anyway.

      I went from 250# to about 160# by biking to school then work. Hell, I even teach spin classes now.

      --

      ---
      ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
    25. Re:Your Car Likely Has A Black Box ALREADY by RockDoctor · · Score: 1

      I have occasionally thought about possibly getting suitable racks on my bicycle (or even a bicycle trailer), so that it could carry several bags of groceries

      A modest, reasonable quality rucksack would probably serve your needs, as well as being appropriate baggage for all but the stuffiest of business meetings or hotels. It depends, of course on what you mean by "several" and "bag". You'd have to apply a bit of nous to the packing (bread and eggs on the top ; tins at the bottom), but carrying up to around 12kg isn't that much of a strain. But if you needed more, then you'd really need to put racks and panniers on.

      Having said that, my local bike shop is carrying clip-on wire mesh pannier baskets that should fit onto my bike perfectly fine (which had rear racks supplied, and I seriously considered adding front racks to the build order). Worth thinking about, if you've got the option.

      With a rucksack, make sure that you keep the shoulder straps snug, so that it rides high but doesn't slop around. Consider using the waist belt too. Your centre of gravity is raised, slightly (do the maths), but having something unpredictably slopping around can be quite disconcerting.

      --
      Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
  12. question... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Do we need a car analogy for this one?

    1. Re:question... by hrvatska · · Score: 1

      No, but some of us would like to know in Library of Congress units how much data these black boxes will hold.

  13. Used car ... by PPH · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... prices just took another jump.

    I suppose its not all that big a deal if I get into a wreck and they want to download the airbag and antilock brake performance data. But at some point, the cops are going to want the capability to jack in to your car's log and download that rather than actually watching for violations. That's when I park the new car and go back to driving my '79 4x4. No event recorder. No working smog devices (old enough to be exempt from testing). No airbags. And the energy absorbing collision crush zone is the Prius I'm about to hit.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
    1. Re:Used car ... by Bigby · · Score: 1

      I agree. I don't have as much a "Big Brother" issue with this as I do with there being yet another mandated cost for all manufacturing of vehicles. Good luck starting your own car company. GM and Ford will have no problem streamlining the inclusion of these in all cars. It is a bigger cost on the margin for the small ones or ones that could have existed.

      This is like all the paperwork laws that crush small companies.

      Anyone wonder why the biggest area of entrepreneurship is in software? It is because the "hump" of regulation and legal costs are practically $0.

    2. Re:Used car ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Then they simply stop renewing registrations for cars made before 2015.

    3. Re:Used car ... by geekoid · · Score: 1

      Great, you have an old death trap.
      Anyways, if the police start doing that, get involved to be sure they don't have that right.
      Just like people have to get involved to make the police eave people filming alone.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    4. Re:Used car ... by dkf · · Score: 1

      That's when I park the new car and go back to driving my '79 4x4.

      Is that the one with the "impale driver's heart on crash" steering column option?

      --
      "Little does he know, but there is no 'I' in 'Idiot'!"
    5. Re:Used car ... by Jeng · · Score: 1

      Considering that it only cost me the amount of a bluetooth OBDII adapter, ( between $13-$100 ), an android device ( $65 and up ), and the Torque pro app to do what they want.

      I don't see the little guys having too much of a problem with it.

      --
      Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
    6. Re:Used car ... by PPH · · Score: 2

      Anyone wonder why the biggest area of entrepreneurship is in software? It is because the "hump" of regulation and legal costs are practically $0.

      Not after the USPTO gets through with you. Software is rapidly gaining a 'guilty until proven innocent' legal status. Write something, then MicrosApplGoogle files a patent. And wipes you out having to prove prior art or invalidate their patents somehow. But that's all being done by proxy, of course. The government's hands are clean while their selected few national software champions carry out state industrial policy.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    7. Re:Used car ... by PeanutButterBreath · · Score: 1

      ... prices just took another jump./p>

      But they will crater when the next generation of used cars hits the market and anyone with a smart phone can stand next to one and know about any adverse history.

    8. Re:Used car ... by PPH · · Score: 2

      Who is this "they" you refer to? The feds mandate the black boxes. The states register cars. Once a car is in private hands (federal regulations only specify what must be in cars sold by manufacturers), the states will do pretty much what they want with the existing rolling stock.

      Tell all the poor folks that they can't keep their cars and piss off the liberals. Tell the state what they can and can't register is a states' rights issue, so piss off all the conservatives. That's a formula for losing the next election.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    9. Re:Used car ... by tconnors · · Score: 1

      That's when I park the new car and go back to driving my '79 4x4.

      Is that the one with the "impale driver's heart on crash" steering column option?

      Hope so! And that his crumple zone is the boulder lying in the middle of the road instead of a prius.

    10. Re:Used car ... by scharkalvin · · Score: 2

      What about car 'kits'? You know those "T" bucket roadsters. Most of those are based on old VW bug chassis, but some builders actually wield up their own frames and drop in big block Chevy engines (my next door neighbor used an old Ford marine engine). the bodies are usually store bought fiberglass. Then there are the EV conversions.

    11. Re:Used car ... by PPH · · Score: 2

      In related news, property values in California plummet as people move out.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    12. Re:Used car ... by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      I very much doubt that a 1979 4x4 truck would be a death trap. You are talking about a body on frame setup and the frame on those older trucks is quite heavy. I have been in accidents where a body on frame vehicle was hit by a unibody vehicle and the unibody vehicle ends up much worse off.

      --
      Time to offend someone
  14. What could go wrong.... by future+assassin · · Score: 1

    with a mandatory "electronic" device. No government official will hamper with it of try to frame people by hacking the system

    --
    by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
    1. Re:What could go wrong.... by jamstar7 · · Score: 1

      Just park a couple blocs away from the whorehouse and you'll be ok...

      Why would I want to go to Washington DC in the first place, let alone park beside Congress????

      --
      Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
  15. Why worry? by TiggertheMad · · Score: 1

    Nothing in says you cannot disconnect the box. Paranoid much?

    --

    HA! I just wasted some of your bandwidth with a frivolous sig!
    1. Re:Why worry? by jamstar7 · · Score: 1

      They'll believe the computer over you. It's easier.

      BTW, what's the fine and how many points do you get on your license for driving 4050 mph over the speed limit, anyways?

      --
      Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
    2. Re:Why worry? by darkfeline · · Score: 1

      I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume that legally, "to be fitted with" includes actually being connected and functioning.

    3. Re:Why worry? by Criton · · Score: 1

      You replace the ECM it's not hard to buy or make a new ecm that is superior to the old one and they're not that hardened I opened them up before it's almost old school technology in them.

  16. re: think long and hard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Thinking long and hard is... oh, hey! The football game is on! Grab a beer and have a seat!

  17. Open format? by Aqualung812 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    IIRC, one of the big issues with the existing black boxes is that they are in a format only the OEM can read.

    I didn't see anything in TFA about making a standard, any news about that?

    I'd love the ability to put an app on my laptop or phone & review the data logs my car can produce. There a ton of data in a modern car that could be very useful to an owner. Even more if you're a parent with kids that drive.

    --
    Grammer Nazis - I mod you "troll" unless you actually add something on-topic. Yes, I know I have mispellings in my sig.
    1. Re:Open format? by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 2

      "IRC, one of the big issues with the existing black boxes is that they are in a format only the OEM can read."

      This is hardly a real-world problem. Consumer devices for reading the data and settings in a vehicle's computer(s) tend to come out less than a year after the new models hit the streets.

    2. Re:Open format? by Jeng · · Score: 4, Informative

      Yes you can do that.

      You will need a OBDII Bluetooth adapter and something to read the results, I use the Torque Pro program on my Android phone. I can do logs that I can later email myself, or even upload to a website.

      The adapter I bought was @ $40 from Amazon, and the program I mention is $4.99, add an android device if you don't have one already and it is still cheaper than most stand alone OBDII readers.

      It can record everything from G's pulled on corners to the temperature of the intake.

      --
      Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
    3. Re:Open format? by Aqualung812 · · Score: 1

      It was a real-world problem for Toyota in 2010:
      http://phys.org/news186942408.html

      Or, do you have a link to something that would read their black box data?

      --
      Grammer Nazis - I mod you "troll" unless you actually add something on-topic. Yes, I know I have mispellings in my sig.
    4. Re:Open format? by Aqualung812 · · Score: 1

      Those are only real-time though, correct?

      I'm thinking more of something that has the logs, not the current values.

      --
      Grammer Nazis - I mod you "troll" unless you actually add something on-topic. Yes, I know I have mispellings in my sig.
    5. Re:Open format? by MBCook · · Score: 1

      Could you point out exactly which adapter you bought? That sounds like a great price, every time I looked they were quite expensive.

      --
      Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
    6. Re:Open format? by h4rr4r · · Score: 1

      You must have bought that a while ago. I just got an ELM327 clone for $15 on amazon with prime free shipping.

      Torque free can do a lot of that, but yeah I bought the Pro as well.

    7. Re:Open format? by houghi · · Score: 2

      Even more if you're a parent with kids that drive.

      Yeah, because the best thing you can learn a kid is that trust means nothing, but surveillance is a great thing. Prepare them for the future. Prepare them for 1984. Prepare them to become model citizens.

      --
      Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
    8. Re:Open format? by h4rr4r · · Score: 4, Informative

      http://www.amazon.com/Koolertron-ELM-OBDII-Diagnostic-Scanner/dp/B0055AZ0A0/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1334865807&sr=8-6

      $13 with prime free shipping.

      Ignore idiot reviewers. When you added it to your device it will pair but not connect. This is totally normal, torque will take over from there.

    9. Re:Open format? by Jeng · · Score: 1

      It has logging features, you can email the logs to yourself, or you can upload them to a website set up by the developer. You can also choose what is being logged.

      You can even set up your phone to video you driving with the OBDII information overlaid on top of the video.

      Here is the developers website.
      http://torque-bhp.com/

      --
      Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
    10. Re:Open format? by Jeng · · Score: 1

      Actually I think it was just last month, but someone I trusted recommended it and it was cheaper than the $100 one I was looking at.

      --
      Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
    11. Re:Open format? by Hatta · · Score: 1

      If the only way you can access the data is with a closed source, proprietary, for pay application, then no it's not an open format at all.

      A format is open if and only if I can download the format specification free of charge and implement and distribute a free (as in GNU) reader.

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
    12. Re:Open format? by shiftless · · Score: 1

      Next step: make it changeable, i.e. read/write. Therefore, inadmissable as evidence in court.

    13. Re:Open format? by Jeng · · Score: 2

      You mean like these?

      http://sourceforge.net/projects/scantool/

      http://freediag.sourceforge.net/

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Kadin2048/List_of_OBD-II_Cables_%26_Scanning_Software

      You didn't think that the guy selling a $4.99 app holds all the rights to the technology did you?

      --
      Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
    14. Re:Open format? by Hatta · · Score: 1

      TYVM

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
    15. Re:Open format? by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      How is that relevant to the subject? Those were "locked" black boxes and Toyota wasn't giving that data to police or governments or anybody else.

      You do have a point, sort of. It is certainly possible for manufacturers to put unreadable devices in the cars. But that isn't a matter of "proprietary format". That's a matter of outright encryption and secrecy. Two different things.

    16. Re:Open format? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      You can get a USB or even Bluetooth OBD-II interface from DealExtreme for about twenty bucks. You can read off all the standard powertrain stuff with that. This is generally enough to detect anything that will light the lights, run any gauges you want to run, and display the output of any sensors.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  18. Re:Hollywood-style solution by DigiTechGuy · · Score: 1

    Points, condenser, coil. That's it. Also my radio is a tube radio so likely somewhat resistant to EMP. I only drive vehicles '60s or older.

  19. Editors, Please Take Note by TheSpoom · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If the primary source for a link is InfoWars, look for a secondary link from a less biased and/or batshit insane source. If one cannot be found, skip the article please.

    --
    It's better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don't want and get it.
    - E. Debs
  20. Re:Hmm.. haven't the FEDS learned ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I WILL NOT buy ANOTHER car with a "Black Box".

    FTFY. Your Wrangler has one already.

  21. Re: think long and hard by spidercoz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    remember when the Republicans used to be all about civil liberties and keeping the government from crawling up your ass?

    --
    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Evelyn Beatrice Hall, re Voltaire
  22. Citizen. You are speeking in an unsafe manner. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    And in all new persons from 2016.

    (Maybe old ones too)

    Citizen. You're concern is noted and quite unnecessary. It is a matter of safety and we all want safety after all.

    Well, I don't know about you, but the thing that totally irks me is when my other citizens feel it necessary to run red lights - not only scaring me but threatening the safety of my children, my fellow drivers and myself of course.

    We are all in agreement here, I am sure.

    Then there is highway and interstate driving. Unfortunately, there are folks who seem to think that obeying traffic law - such as passing and speed limit laws - are optional and there seems to be an attitude of entitlement. We all don't want that.

    Anything that helps with the enforcement of such unsafe and deviant behavior is welcomed by everyone including yourself.

    Compliance in necessary from all and will be enforced.

    Thank you for your cooperation.

    1. Re:Citizen. You are speeking in an unsafe manner. by RockDoctor · · Score: 1

      Anything that helps with the enforcement of such unsafe and deviant behavior is

      ... going to stop it being a deviant behaviour and convert it to being the norm.

      Did you actually read what you wrote?

      Oh, no, of course you didn't - you're an AC.

      --
      Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
  23. Re:Hollywood-style solution by ColdWetDog · · Score: 5, Funny

    Points, condenser, coil. That's it. Also my radio is a tube radio so likely somewhat resistant to EMP. I only drive vehicles '60s or older.

    Who would have guessed that the survivors of the apocalypse would be .... grandpa?

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  24. Re:The next step? Oh Great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Oh great, my girlfriend left me last weekend, and now this. Shit comes in threes. Whats next?

  25. Re:Fucking racists by GameboyRMH · · Score: 4, Informative

    Actually yes they are all made with UV-resistant black plastic cases. Unlike the black boxes in airplanes which are red or orange.

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  26. Re:Hollywood-style solution by GameboyRMH · · Score: 1

    Poor you, that's just before cars started to get good. Just one year newer and you could drive a 240Z.

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  27. Time to buy a new 2014 car by cpu6502 · · Score: 1

    My old car has ~140,000 miles so it's about that time. Maybe a diesel Beetle or a hybrid Insight. No black boxes please.

    I wish I could get a Lupo 3L. Almost 90mpg highway is impressive.

    --
    My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
    1. Re:Time to buy a new 2014 car by fnj · · Score: 1

      Why would you think a diesel Beetle or an Insight would not have a black box?

    2. Re:Time to buy a new 2014 car by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      If it is time for a new vehicle after only 140,000 or so miles and it hasn't been totaled in an accident you are doing it wrong. The vast majority of vehicles I have owned had higher miles on them than that when I got them. My current daily drive has 235,xxx miles on it and my Jeep has 371,xxx miles on it. Both run great get decent mileage (the Jeep gets good mileage for what it is and what I use it for) and are paid off. Insurance is cheap on them and I do most of the repairs and maintenance on them my self so the ongoing costs are minimal. My mom and step dad don't take care of their vehicles and they always need replacing every few years meanwhile my father actually takes good care of his stuff and it seems to last forever.

      1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 257,xxx miles when it got junked because the oil pump failed on the highway and wrecked the motor
      1985 BMW 528e 212,xxx miles when it got rear ended and totaled when stopped at a stop sign on a rural highway
      1987 Buick Century 171,xxx miles when I got rid of it because it would have cost more in parts to fix the major fuel leak than it was worth
      1996 BMW 318ti 179,xxx miles when it got rear ended, spun around into a fire hydrant and totaled.
      1997 BMW 540i 235,xxx miles on it and it is still running great
      1985 Ford Bronco II 252,xxx miles on it when one of the fuel pumps failed or the ignition control module failed, would have cost more to fix than it was worth.
      1996 Jeep Cherokee 371,xxx miles on it and it is still running great

      --
      Time to offend someone
  28. Re:Not as bad as it sounds by CohibaVancouver · · Score: 1

    your car's [sic] black box will mostly be used to protect the people who crashed into you

    Not necessarily. It could also protect you - If you're in a crash and the police insist you were speeding the black box could prove you weren't, or it could prove you were braking not accelerating etc.

  29. Re:The next step? Oh Great by SJHillman · · Score: 4, Funny

    Your girlfriend left you? You're doing a good job of typing without any hands.

  30. Re: think long and hard by Desler · · Score: 4, Informative

    No. Since when did these mythical people ever actually exist?

  31. Re: think long and hard by techoi · · Score: 1

    Beyond saying they were and actually acting that way? No, I don't remember that.

  32. Next step by negativeduck · · Score: 1

    Requiring whisper net's for remote storage of the information. Allowing data retrieval and warrant collection without having to physical access to the vehicle.

  33. I'm ok with this by mwfischer · · Score: 1

    If you were ever burned on someone "this persons word vs this persons word" on an accident, this additional data can be useful to find the truth.

    What, do you guys want an achievement system to numb your anger too?

    1. Re:I'm ok with this by tftp · · Score: 1

      If you were ever burned on someone "this persons word vs this persons word" on an accident, this additional data can be useful to find the truth.

      You are dealing with the government. Both will be found guilty of something.

  34. Re:Hollywood-style solution by geekoid · · Score: 3, Funny

    for a week, when their meds stop arriving.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  35. Re:Hollywood-style solution by SJHillman · · Score: 1

    Because Grandpa is too old to give a crap about cockroaches, so he's perfectly willing to share a ravaged Earth with them

  36. Re:Hollywood-style solution by Desler · · Score: 1

    Did you also walk uphill both ways to school in the snow without shoes? Did they still say 'dickity'? Was tying an onion to your belt still the style at the time?

  37. Re:Down With Big Brother by GameboyRMH · · Score: 1

    Great idea, make it seem like the government wants this rather than insurance companies. That'll whip up some opposition.

    Likewise if Facebook were called Fedbook I don't think people would use it so much...

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  38. Perspective by jsm18 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybe the government could contract with Apple and produce a White Box model. People would be lining up around the block to get it installed.

  39. Warning: Concusing use of "Black Box" by LostCluster · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Black Boxes are typically things that scare Slashdot. We don't know how they work, as compared to a documented "white box" solution.

    This definition of a "Black Box" is different. It's an event data recorder, meant to be like the orange devices found at airplane crash sites designed to let everybody know the status of the vehicle before it crashed. No big privacy change because most cars already have one, it's just a law change that requires there be standards,. rules, and such for these things in the future.

    1. Re:Warning: Concusing use of "Black Box" by DigiShaman · · Score: 1

      Yes, but it's mandatory. It won't stop, but just evolve from there.

      Imagine the next version of the bill requiring GPS mapping along with speed recordings. The data gets dumped automatically via wireless upon your next pit stop for fuel. A speeding ticket is then automatically mailed to you with a court data.

      Version 3 may include auto acceleration governors tied to the electronic throttle body (everything being drive-by-wire then). The car caps how fast you can go depending on where you're driving.

      Version 4 may make driving manually illegal. Everything automated. Welcome to Minority Report. Don't think bad thoughts BTW. I'm sure they get uploaded too. Nothing seems impossible these days.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    2. Re:Warning: Concusing use of "Black Box" by bky1701 · · Score: 1

      OOP programmers are supposed to like black boxes!

    3. Re:Warning: Concusing use of "Black Box" by TemporalBeing · · Score: 1

      Black Boxes are typically things that scare Slashdot. We don't know how they work, as compared to a documented "white box" solution.

      This definition of a "Black Box" is different. It's an event data recorder, meant to be like the orange devices found at airplane crash sites designed to let everybody know the status of the vehicle before it crashed. No big privacy change because most cars already have one, it's just a law change that requires there be standards,. rules, and such for these things in the future.

      Honestly any use of BlackBox would scare me. Their equipment is simply overpriced pieces of (#*$*#*@.

      --
      Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away. - Elvis Presley (source: imdb.com)
  40. Re:Is this going to be yankable? by mosb1000 · · Score: 2

    Everyone knows the constitution doesn't apply when you're doing something in a public space.

  41. "CLEAR" Button? by Bigsquid.1776 · · Score: 1

    Can these black boxes have a "Clear" button on them?

  42. Re: think long and hard by cpu6502 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Republicans were ike that post-Eisenhower and pre-George Bush.
    Remember when the DEMOCRATS were for small government and individual rights (except blacks)? Now they boss us around as if we were employees of the governments. "Buy insurance." "Throw-away your lightbulbs." "Put black boxes in your cars." "Submit to random VIPR patdowns all across the country."

    When both parties are pro-government, then it's only a matter of time until a "you can't trust the government" contingent arrives on the scene. As Jefferson stated, that is the natural tendency of the party system: 1 for more government; 1 for less government. I predict it will happen within the Republican party, thanks to the Ron Paul movement (started 2007).

    --
    My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
  43. Re:Down With Big Brother by geekoid · · Score: 1

    DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER
    DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER
    DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER
    DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER
    DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER
    DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER
    DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER
    DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER

    anyways, the book was about information control. The internet has made Big Brother impossible.

    As for using using data collected about you, fight for controls. Black boxes are a good idea, for many reasons. Just fight the ability for it to be accessed randomly.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  44. Re:Fucking racists by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Does the AC GP seriously not know what a black box is and why that term is appropriate in this context, or is he/she trying (and failing) to be funny? And for those that do not know, the "black boxes" in airplanes are painted red/orange to make them easier to find at a crash site.

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  45. Re: think long and hard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    "Buy insurance."

    As I understood it, Congress "mandated" that you buy insurance in the same way that they "mandated" you buy new energy efficient doors/windows for your house. Which is to say they didn't mandate it at all. What they did was they offered a tax credit for those that already had insurance, much the same way that there is a tax credit for replacing your older doors/windows with new energy efficient doors/windows.

    I keep asking politely if you would care to correct my misunderstanding, but you've yet to do so. Why is that?

  46. Re: think long and hard by dadioflex · · Score: 2, Insightful

    remember when the Republicans used to be all about civil liberties and keeping the government from crawling up your ass?

    If that was the case, then why have laws at all? I don't understand how anybody can feel aggrieved that they're not being allowed to break the law. Don't get me wrong, if you want to speed or act like a dick in traffic, go right ahead - but whining that somebody is gonna try and catch you out isn't exactly the outlaw way. Oh, what's that you say Sundance? The sheriff is watching the bank? That's an outrageous invasion of my privacy. Hold my gun while I write my congressman...

  47. Re:Hollywood-style solution by mooingyak · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Points, condenser, coil. That's it. Also my radio is a tube radio so likely somewhat resistant to EMP. I only drive vehicles '60s or older.

    Who would have guessed that the survivors of the apocalypse would be .... grandpa?

    Nah, that's just whose car you'll need to steal.

    --
    William of Ockham had no beard. The most likely explanation is that it was chewed off by squirrels every morning.
  48. Re:Not as bad as it sounds by hendridm · · Score: 1

    They are only used after a crash.

    Yeah, I really trust the government with being honest about my privacy.

    Also, warrants are easy to get.

  49. It's ok, it's a crash recorder by jerryjnormandin · · Score: 1

    Nevermind. This is a good thing. I was ripping at first. The Black Box has been with GM cars since 1994 and my 2010 Jeep Wrangler has it too. Basically the vehicles recorder stores the last 15 seconds of data this way if you die in a crash, data can be retrieved from the black box to see if the vehicle failed in any way. Also the data can help you if you are in an accident and the accident was not your fault. It can not be used to monitor your driving.

  50. Maybe it's a good sign... by cdibbs · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Once cars drive themselves, people will be far more interested in having these black boxes. They're only put off by them while the black boxes could rat them out for going 70 in a 55. As for the devices recording routes, times, destinations and other "private" information, I'm sure the self-driving cars will already log this information as a side-effect of using remote servers for navigation and traffic data. This may already be going on every time you use your smart phone for directions...

    1. Re:Maybe it's a good sign... by Criton · · Score: 1

      A centralized control system for self driving cars would be too easy of a target for hackers and would be inherently very failure prone due to it's centralized nature.

  51. Re:Hollywood-style solution by lgw · · Score: 2

    The first 240Zs were made in 1969. I had one of those. Sadly they were made with such thin sheet metal that all but a few showcars (or otherwise obsessively maintained cars) have rusted through. Awesome car, though.

    --
    Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
  52. Re: think long and hard by Desler · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No, they CLAIMED to be like that. There's a big difference between the two. They were plenty fond Of getting the government involved in people's sex lives, their reproductive health choices, whether or not they used drugs, using the government to mandate school prayer on people, etc. Let us also not forget that it was under Reagan that the country went from being the world's largest creditor to the world's larget debtor (before you try to claim the whole republicans are fiscal conservatives nonsense).

  53. Re: think long and hard by AngryDeuce · · Score: 1

    I think they all died off when Reagan was elected.

  54. Like dashcams can protect suspects? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    It could also help you to prove that you weren't speeding, of course...

    Just like dashcams in police cruisers could help you prove your innocence ... Except that they magically seem to malfunction whenever they had information that would help you.

    1. Re:Like dashcams can protect suspects? by RenderSeven · · Score: 4, Funny

      I dont remember them ever malfunctioning. The officer just explained that gosh, he'd love to show me the data but seeing as he told me to stay in the car then looking at the radar would be Disobeying A Police Officer, Interfering With An Investigation, Resisting Arrest, and possibly Accidentally Falling On A Nightstick In A Public Place. Not to mention that He Never Said That, and if I could prove he did it would be a Violation Of Federal Wiretap Laws (speaking in leading caps is a cool skill they teach in cop school).

      Variation on the Jedi Mind Trick: "You dont need to see the radar. I gave you a break so you should thank me for this ticket. These are not the droids you're looking for. Move along."

    2. Re:Like dashcams can protect suspects? by Jeng · · Score: 1

      Civilians are starting to put in dash cams also and the reason is to protect themselves in the case of an accident.

      One case that made the news a bit was when someone backed up into someone else in a traffic jam and claimed that the person rear ended them. The video saved that person a ton of money and a ton of hassle, and probably got a con artist put in jail.

      --
      Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
    3. Re:Like dashcams can protect suspects? by strack · · Score: 1

      speaking in leading caps is a cool skill they learned in the terry pratchett book "guards! guards!"

  55. Re: think long and hard by cpu6502 · · Score: 1

    >>> they offered a tax credit for those that already had insurance

    No they didn't. I don't have insurance, but both my parents and my brother do, and they get NO tax credits or deductions on their 1040 return.

    >>>I keep asking politely if you would care to correct my misunderstanding, but you've yet to do so

    This is the first time I've heard you ask.

    --
    My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
  56. "What, the Land of the Free? by moderators_are_w*nke · · Score: 1

    Whoever told you that is your enemy."

    One of my favourite quotes. Seemed relevent.

    --
    "XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve your problem, use more." - Anonymous Coward
  57. Re: think long and hard by enrgeeman · · Score: 1

    I have to have proof of insurance when I go to the DMV to put register my car and get plates for it. How is insurance not mandatory?

    --
    sent from my slashdot browser.
  58. Re: think long and hard by cpu6502 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Many people don't have car insurance.
    - people who walk
    - people who ride a horse (my Amish neighbors)
    - people who use a buggy (local farmers)
    - people who ride a bike
    - or train
    - or bus
    - or cycle

    FURTHERMORE and this is the most important part: The Member States have the power to mandate insurance, but the central Congress does not. Read amendment 10 of our bill of rights.

    So if Massachusetts wants to mandate the purchase of hospital insurance, they can. I think that's anti-freedom idea but, per the 10th, they have the authority. The central government does not.

    --
    My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
  59. No Child Left Behind... by El+Fantasmo · · Score: 2

    In that act is also this little bit, for those of us who can't detect humans in the back seat after we turn the car off.

    SEC. 31504. UNATTENDED PASSENGER REMINDERS.

            (a) Safety Research Initiative- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete research into the development of performance requirements to warn drivers that a child or other unattended passenger remains in a rear seating position after the vehicle motor is disengaged.

            (b) Specifications- In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider performance requirements that--

                    (1) sense weight, the presence of a buckled seat belt, or other indications of the presence of a child or other passenger; and

                    (2) provide an alert to prevent hyperthermia and hypothermia that can result in death or severe injuries.

            (c) Rulemaking or Report-

                    (1) RULEMAKING- Not later than 1 year after the completion of each research and testing initiative required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to issue a Federal motor vehicle safety standard if the Secretary determines that such a standard meets the requirements and considerations set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, United States Code.

                    (2) REPORT- If the Secretary determines that the standard described in subsection (a) does not meet the requirements and considerations set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary shall submit a report describing the reasons for not prescribing such a standard to--

                            (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and

                            (B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.

  60. Re:Not as bad as it sounds by CohibaVancouver · · Score: 1

    You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

    Inconceivable!

    http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sic

  61. Re: think long and hard by RevSpaminator · · Score: 2

    No. They only ever wanted to keep the government from investigating the exploits of their wealthy benefactors.

  62. To establish Post Offices and Post Roads by tepples · · Score: 1

    The Member States have the power to mandate insurance, but the central Congress does not.

    I thought the Congress had power to require insurance for vehicles operated on "post roads".

    1. Re:To establish Post Offices and Post Roads by KingMotley · · Score: 4, Informative

      No, but if the states refuse to enact such a law, then they don't get any federal funding for the roads. This is the same way that the federal government got the speed limits reduced, and the legal drinking age raised.

    2. Re:To establish Post Offices and Post Roads by Kozar_The_Malignant · · Score: 1

      The Member States have the power to mandate insurance, but the central Congress does not.

      I thought the Congress had power to require insurance for vehicles operated on "post roads".

      Congress controls the purse strings. They do not mandate that the various states require auto insurance. They do say that if you want federal highway money, it will be available if, and only if, you mandate auto insurance. See, not a mandate at all.

      --
      Some mornings it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints to get out of bed.
  63. From TFA: how long data is saved by t4ng* · · Score: 1

    I was wondering how much data is saved before it is overwritten with new data, and found this in the text of the bill...

    The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.

    Thirty seconds would make this completely useless as evidence for a speeding stop or red light stop, etc. Just make sure you are driving under the speed limit for at least 30 seconds before coming to a stop and you've wiped out any evidence.

    1. Re:From TFA: how long data is saved by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      I was wondering how much data is saved before it is overwritten with new data, and found this in the text of the bill...

      The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.

      Thirty seconds would make this completely useless as evidence for a speeding stop or red light stop, etc. Just make sure you are driving under the speed limit for at least 30 seconds before coming to a stop and you've wiped out any evidence.

      "Typically" = weasel word.

      I typically don't smash baby seals over the head with a nailboard, but that doesn't mean it'll never happen.

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    2. Re:From TFA: how long data is saved by t4ng* · · Score: 1

      True. But if a manufacturer is given the choice of adding more storage at increased cost, or using the minimum amount of storage required so they can keep their profit margins as high as possible, they will choose the later. A small amount of NVRAM is going to be a lot cheaper than a big SSD.

    3. Re:From TFA: how long data is saved by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      True. But if a manufacturer is given the choice of adding more storage at increased cost, or using the minimum amount of storage required so they can keep their profit margins as high as possible, they will choose the later. A small amount of NVRAM is going to be a lot cheaper than a big SSD.

      While you're probably right there, to me it's not the manufacturers who are of concern; it's the politicians who wrote the law. I feel it's only a matter of time before they start requiring constant data monitoring.

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  64. Re:Down With Big Brother by lgw · · Score: 1

    The internet has made Big Brother impossible.

    Wow, is there anything you won't say, no matter how absurd, to excuse addiitonal government power, geekoid? Anything at all? Your posts in this story have gone beyond "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you" to "Daddy only hits me because he loves me".

    --
    Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
  65. Re:Hollywood-style solution by roc97007 · · Score: 2

    Points, condenser, coil. That's it. Also my radio is a tube radio so likely somewhat resistant to EMP. I only drive vehicles '60s or older.

    Who would have guessed that the survivors of the apocalypse would be .... grandpa?

    Nah, that's just whose car you'll need to steal.

    That may not be funny. I have an acquaintance who is a self-defined survivalist. He stockpiles weapons and ammunition. I asked him why he didn't stockpile food, fuel, communications gear or any of the other stuff survivalists usually have in their garage. He said because with weapons, he can acquire everything else he needs. I guess that includes a car old enough to have mechanical ignition.

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  66. Re:And here I always thought... by jamstar7 · · Score: 1

    Yeah, it's kinda hard to justify a TSA Keystone Kop in every car, so they're doing the next best thing. After all, we wouldn't want those terrorrorrorrorrists to win, now, would we?

    --
    Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
  67. Re: think long and hard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    That part of the law has not gone into effect. If I am not mistaken it goes in to effect in stages up until 2014 or something.

    Spread FUD about shit you don't understand why don't cha?

  68. Probable cause by tepples · · Score: 1

    And how hard is it to get a warrant?

    The Fourth Amendment states that the standard for a warrant in the United States is "probable cause supported by oath or affirmation". So getting a warrant is as hard as convincing a judge that there exists, or existed at the time of the search, a reasonable belief that a person or property is connected to a crime that has been committed. I realize that the next question is what constitutes a reasonable belief, and in hard cases, "reasonable" has tended to mean "which party's legal counsel is wearing the nicer suit".

  69. Re: think long and hard by Dare+nMc · · Score: 1

    It is slightly different, with the energy savings, home loans, dependent child deduction... they are deductions. While insurance is a penalty. I for one am very curious what the supreme court rules, is it simply a matter of wording, that the law simply needs to give a $5k deduction to those with insurance and raise taxes enough to cover the difference. Or does the raise taxes and lower the taxes have to be done in different laws to be legal. Or will a negative ruling essentially through all these tax deductions in areas not specified as part of congresses deamed powers into the scrap heap. I for one am a supporter of the bill, but would be tickled if it did through all those deductions out (especially since I used none of them, and thus paid $20k in payroll taxes this year.)

  70. Re: think long and hard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Wow you are...just....
    Wow.

    You can breath and sit still at the same time, right? I don't mean chew gum and walk. That would clearly be out of your league.

    Let me use small words so I don't lose you:

    The re-pub-li-cans made the Tea Party so they control the "you can't trust gov'ment" people. The Dem-o-crats would like to do the same thing with the "99%/Occupy" thingy but don't know how. This way both parties can dump the 'less gov'ment' nut-bags (from their point of view) into the non-party parties and pretend to listen to them. In reality what they do is point and laugh. "look at the fringe nut cases. They are not part of our party."

    Case closed.

  71. Re:Not as bad as it sounds by Americano · · Score: 1

    Care to explain what error was present in the original that you reproduced in quoting in this phrase? Because I don't see it:

    your car's black box will mostly be used to protect the people who crashed into you.

    I fail to see what's incorrect about "car's" in this sentence - it is the possessive form, meaning "the black box belonging to your car," which appears to be exactly what was intended, and entirely grammatically correct.

  72. Do I Have To Fix It? by RevSpaminator · · Score: 1

    What happens if the silly thing breaks?

  73. Not really bothered, tbh by SecurityGuy · · Score: 2

    I've actually thought about putting one in my own car. I was sitting at a stop light maybe 10 years ago when some moron teenager was speeding down the road at 45 mph while fishing around for CDs on the floor of his car. He hit the car BEHIND me without so much as tapping his brakes. That car smashed into mine, totalling it. My car then hit the guy in front of me. Imagine my outrage when talking to some insurance drone who told me he had to talk to the other drivers to see if they felt one impact or two. The theory being that if it was one, it was because *I* was moving and hit the guy in front of me, causing them all to pile into me. If it was more than one, the story was as I related.

    I wouldn't have minded having a /var/log somewhere that said 22:34:02: velocity 0.00 m/s accel 0.00 g throttle 0% brakes 5%....22:34:45 velocity 35.33 m/s accel 12.1 g throttle 0% brakes 0%. Hard data would have shown beyond a shadow of a doubt I was in a stationary car that suddenly accelerated like it was hit by a moving SUV.

    1. Re:Not really bothered, tbh by Eightbitgnosis · · Score: 1

      I don't know how it is in your state, but in mine if someone rearends you into hitting the person in front of them(even if you were stopped) you are considered at fault for hitting the car in front of you. You would also be liable for any cars the person in front of you hit as well as a result of you hitting them. The idea being you should have left more space between you and the next car.

    2. Re:Not really bothered, tbh by lanner · · Score: 1

      The problem is that the information isn't for you, for your interest, and is out of your control. You don't have access to it and everything will be done to make sure that insurance companies and the government have access to this data while you don't.

    3. Re:Not really bothered, tbh by SecurityGuy · · Score: 1

      Nothing could be more stupid than blaming the middle of three cars, all of which were stopped at a red light, for a fourth car plowing into all three of them. It's nonsensical to expect people to leave enough space between stopped cars at a traffic light such that if they're surprised nailed by a 45 mph car, that they won't hit anything.

    4. Re:Not really bothered, tbh by SecurityGuy · · Score: 1

      You're pointing out that almost everything can be used for good or evil. Obviously, I would oppose a system like you describe. A system that simply records how I'm driving, doesn't get reported to my insurance company or anyone else EVER unless there's legal cause to do so (accident, for example) is ok by me. I'm not saying I'm ok with forcing everyone to have one, but I wouldn't mind an immutable record of what happens to my car, even though I know if I cause an accident, it will be evidence to prove it.

    5. Re:Not really bothered, tbh by scharkalvin · · Score: 1

      Actually what happens is that YOU have to sue the guy in back of you for the damages that YOU caused to the guy's in front of you. If the guy in back of you wasn't the actual cause of the accident HE has to sue the guy in back of HIM for the damages that HE was sued for by the guys in front of HIM. Just a way to keep the asshole lawyers busy.

    6. Re:Not really bothered, tbh by MDillenbeck · · Score: 1

      Yeah, and in some states, you will always be partially at fault. The logic? If you weren't there, you wouldn't have been hit - thus no matter what some of the burden is on both drivers. However, the majority of the burden is still on the person plowing into the back end of another car, and that's what most insurance companies look at.

    7. Re:Not really bothered, tbh by SecurityGuy · · Score: 1

      Actually, what happened is the moron teenager was found liable for the accident and his insurance company bought me a new car. I assume they also bought the lady behind me a car. The car in front of me was an old, very solid pickup truck that didn't seem to suffer much damage. I assume any damage was paid for by said moron teenager's insurance company. No claims were placed against my insurance.

      I know it's shocking, but a rational thing happened in the legal world.

    8. Re:Not really bothered, tbh by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      I had to argue that once but I seem to have lucked out as the car that hit me was doing at least 55 mph and there was a witness who wasn't involved. My car was totaled, the trunk was basically shoved under the car, the frame bowed out and popped open the rear doors (they wouldn't close the last 6 inches) and my car got shoved into the car in front of me that I was waiting for to make their left turn. Their car didn't get it too bad, but unless I left 30 or 40 feet between me and the car in front of me I doubt that there would have been enough space. Also I was hit hard enough to brake the back of the drivers seat in my car (I am a big guy) but still had to deal with proving that I wasn't at fault. To make matters worse the vehicle that I was pushed into was a Minnesota State vehicle and the guy who hit me was flying higher than a kite.

      --
      Time to offend someone
  74. Rape? by bigtrike · · Score: 2

    Are you suggesting that everyone chooses to get pregnant? Even women who are raped?

    1. Re:Rape? by misexistentialist · · Score: 2

      What is that like 1% of abortions, 0.1% after the morning after pill? Would be a rare enough exception to prove the rule...though if any rule were implemented the number of rape reports would of course skyrocket

    2. Re:Rape? by bigtrike · · Score: 1

      The morning after pill is considered an abortion by some. There have been attempts to outlaw it.

  75. This will get recalled by cellurl · · Score: 1

    Seriously, no one wants this. It will get recalled. What we want is improvement like Google-car. Mark my word.

    Help eliminate accidental speeding tickets.

  76. Re: think long and hard by C0R1D4N · · Score: 1

    This is also, AFAIK, a state level mandate, not a federal level mandate.

  77. Re: think long and hard by wmeyer · · Score: 1

    ...and the last time I checked, about 1/3 of the drivers in California were also uninsured, despite the laws.

    As to the 10th Amendment, Congress has all but ignored that for 100+ years, and especially after FDR.

    --
    --- Bill
  78. Re: think long and hard by couchslug · · Score: 3, Insightful

    "Republicans were ike that post-Eisenhower and pre-George Bush."

    Richard Nixon was hardly a defender of civil liberty.

    --
    "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
  79. Re:Alex Jones by Jeng · · Score: 1

    Considering you haven't even bothered to create an account why in the hell should anyone give a shit that you are leaving?

    --
    Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
  80. Re: think long and hard by operagost · · Score: 1

    Just in case this gets lost in here, I want to point out that Democrats in the Senate sponsored this bill. The House is GOP-controlled, so blaming this on Republicans (in addition to Democrats) is premature until we see the results.

    --

    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
  81. Jack Daniels and Deer steaks by RobertLTux · · Score: 1

    Im sure a lot of LEOs are great friends with a few of the Judges that cover their "beat"

    Done correctly an officer could pop down to a judges House to get a sig if need be.

    --
    Any person using FTFY or editing my postings agrees to a US$50.00 charge
    1. Re:Jack Daniels and Deer steaks by ArsonSmith · · Score: 1

      Don't even have to do that, it's emailed directly to their car and printed out. No need to even leave the seen. The one time I had to deal with this, that's exactly how it happened. Took 15-20 mins to get it.

      --
      Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
  82. Re: think long and hard by ArhcAngel · · Score: 1

    You sir have a bright future as a politician. Calling a penalty a tax credit is akin to calling a smaller tax increase than you originally wanted a tax cut.

    --
    "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
  83. Re:Hollywood-style solution by couchslug · · Score: 1

    "I only drive vehicles '60s or older."

    I have points distributors accumulated (not installed, I hate adjusting points under a hood!) which will fit my much later 1980s V-8s, and my 1988 Harley runs a points conversion so I can kickstart it (also a conversion).

    I don't see EMP destroying all the simple Hall effect etc ignition boxes though, and if it can reach into my "Faraday cage" shipping container storage/shop units and zap the parts on the shelf then color me impressed!

    --
    "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
  84. Re: think long and hard by doston · · Score: 1

    Republicans were ike that post-Eisenhower and pre-George Bush. Remember when the DEMOCRATS were for small government and individual rights (except blacks)? Now they boss us around as if we were employees of the governments. "Buy insurance." "Throw-away your lightbulbs." "Put black boxes in your cars." "Submit to random VIPR patdowns all across the country."

    When both parties are pro-government, then it's only a matter of time until a "you can't trust the government" contingent arrives on the scene. As Jefferson stated, that is the natural tendency of the party system: 1 for more government; 1 for less government. I predict it will happen within the Republican party, thanks to the Ron Paul movement (started 2007).

    Hopefully it'll be the occupy movement instead.

  85. Easy to fix by RobertLTux · · Score: 1

    It has been said that the TSA/Border Patrol can setup checkpoints something like 30? miles from a border so all it would take is for them to setup a checkpoint NEAR say an airport (or some highway commonly used for travel from the border) and you get tagged.

    --
    Any person using FTFY or editing my postings agrees to a US$50.00 charge
    1. Re:Easy to fix by Tassach · · Score: 4, Informative

      It has been said that the TSA/Border Patrol can setup checkpoints something like 30? miles from a border

      Try 100 miles.

      2/3 of the US population lives within 100 miles of a border (which includes coastlines), which is effectively a Constitution-Free zone.

      --
      Why is it that the proponents of "one nation under God" are so eager to get rid of "liberty and justice for all"?
    2. Re:Easy to fix by berashith · · Score: 1

      I am not even trying to say that this will be the TSA, I am just commenting on the ability for the government to create a non-thinking heavy handed form of enforcement.

  86. With or without GPS? by Squidlips · · Score: 1

    That is the key...

  87. Re: think long and hard by Bigby · · Score: 1

    But what is this Constitution you speak of? I thought the majority could do what they wanted?

  88. In 2084 in Soviet Amerika ... by porky_pig_jr · · Score: 1

    The Big Brother Black Box will be installed inside YOU!

  89. Re: think long and hard by Hatta · · Score: 1

    Republicans were ike that post-Eisenhower and pre-George Bush.

    Yes, we all remember those proud defenders of civil liberties, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

    --
    Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
  90. Re:Extra $$$ by couchslug · · Score: 1

    "But let's not do anything practical to actually reduce gas prices (drill)"

    Drilling doesn't reduce gas prices. Crude oil /= motor fuel.

    The US __exports__ gasoline. The free market sets gas prices, and no one has an economic incentive to sell you cheap fuel.

    http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/story/2011-12-31/united-states-export/52298812/1

    "Gasoline supplies are being exported to the highest bidder, says Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at Oil Price Information Service. "It's a world market," he says.

    Refining companies won't say how much they make by selling fuel overseas. But analysts say those sales are likely generating higher profits per gallon than they would have generated in the U.S. Otherwise, they wouldn't occur."

    --
    "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
  91. Re:Alex Jones by SixGunMojo · · Score: 1

    How about the library of congress
    http://thomas.loc.gov./ Search by bill number s. 1813
    You might not like the source but google isnt that hard to use.
    Fucktards

  92. Not a bright fellow by shiftless · · Score: 1

    Points, condenser, coil. That's it. Also my radio is a tube radio so likely somewhat resistant to EMP. I only drive vehicles '60s or older.

    Who would have guessed that the survivors of the apocalypse would be .... grandpa?

    Nah, that's just whose car you'll need to steal.

    That may not be funny. I have an acquaintance who is a self-defined survivalist. He stockpiles weapons and ammunition. I asked him why he didn't stockpile food, fuel, communications gear or any of the other stuff survivalists usually have in their garage. He said because with weapons, he can acquire everything else he needs. I guess that includes a car old enough to have mechanical ignition.

    Yeah, that strategy will work great in the short term, right up until the moment his ass gets blown away by the first guy who had the foresight to stockpile food, seeds, plus guns and ammunition, and allies to boot.

    My guess is your guy, if he's lucky, will end up joining some roving band of thieves which steals and plunders, generally making a nuisance of themselves and holding up progress, until their inevitable capture, trial, conviction, and hanging.

    If he's not so lucky, my door will be the first one he knocks on.

    1. Re:Not a bright fellow by roc97007 · · Score: 1

      Understood. To that point, I asked him specifically about people who had stockpiled supplies *and* weapons, and he said he would leave them alone. But, he says, there are enough people in his area who's politics or personal beliefs wouldn't allow them to arm themselves (well, he said it differently but that's the gist) that at least on the short term he'd have easy pickings.

      And then, about a month later, I saw this, which is a fairly good summary of his position.

      Incidentally, I have 3 months of supplies, medical gear, seeds, solar power, *and* defensive weaponry, and he knows it. (Which is a good thing, I guess...)

      In other news, that girl at Occupy Wall Street who was in the news awhile back, who was saying we should all go back to an agrarian society despite the fact that a good portion of the population would starve to death, because "well, you know, people die"... I'm wondering if she has any plans on how she's going to defend her crops. Or if people like my survivalist friend would just move in and take her harvest at the appropriate time.

      --
      Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
    2. Re:Not a bright fellow by RockDoctor · · Score: 1

      I'm wondering if she has any plans on how she's going to defend her crops. Or if people like my survivalist friend would just move in and take her harvest at the appropriate time.

      That's one of the more concise and coherent arguments in favour of monarchy that I've heard.

      Oh, hang on - were you arguing FOR the establishment of a monarchy, or describing the origin OF monarchy in general?

      --
      Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
    3. Re:Not a bright fellow by roc97007 · · Score: 1

      I'm wondering if she has any plans on how she's going to defend her crops. Or if people like my survivalist friend would just move in and take her harvest at the appropriate time.

      That's one of the more concise and coherent arguments in favour of monarchy that I've heard.

      Oh, hang on - were you arguing FOR the establishment of a monarchy, or describing the origin OF monarchy in general?

      I think I was arguing that the only way an unarmed commune can possibly work, barring being too remote or too poor to bother with, is in the context of a larger defense infrastructure, whether they are paying for it directly or not.

      For instance, a small group of people near Boydton, Virginia might create a working commune with no defensive resources, but this only works because they are protected by community law enforcement. And that the prosperity of the rest of the community makes what they have not worth taking. Once the system breaks down, the game is played by different rules.

      I think what I'm arguing is that the 99% agrarian fantasy of "occupying" a state park and farming peacefully after the economic infrastructure crashes will work just exactly as long as better armed individuals don't need anything they have.

      I am not arguing the morality of the situation, simply pointing out that without the framework of society protecting you, you're not going to be able to argue away intruders with "mic check". "Occupy" only works for as long as the rest of society, which far FAR outnumbers them, remains reluctant, for legal and perhaps moral reasons, to put them down hard. The very society they disparage is all that prevents them from coming to a bad end.

      And when less scrupulous refugees are raiding your camp, you can stand there and call them fascist and feel all self-righteous about it, but the feeling doesn't keep you warm and fed.

      --
      Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
    4. Re:Not a bright fellow by RockDoctor · · Score: 1
      Well, the specifics of your virginia situation aside ... generally there is a lot of twaddle spouted by idealists of all stripes, including (for example) those who want to live in an agrarian utopia "like our grandsires did". They conveniently choose to forget about the other things their grandsires had - far more infectious diseases, a perinatal death rate for both mothers and children that would make today's women really think twice about getting pregnant (not that there was effective contraception for the grandsires, which is probably why they had 20 children per male, and several wives in series).

      Security is just another thing that utopians don't like to think about : the idea that people who live next door to you might be perfectly happy to steal everything that's not welded in place if they think they'll get away with it.

      Oh damn, I forgot to log in. But I worked round it anyway.

      --
      Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
  93. Only crash data is required by tomhath · · Score: 1
    From the bill:

    shall require event data recorders to capture and store data related to motor vehicle safety covering a reasonable time period before, during, and after a motor vehicle crash or airbag deployment, including a rollover;

    Basically record what happened right before a "crash" (whatever that is). Doesn't sound all that draconian to me - speed, brakes, lights, etc.

  94. well, why do you care about the bill then? by YesIAmAScript · · Score: 1

    Given that cars already have black boxes that record this data, why do you care if a law is passed about how it can be used? You claim the government pays no heed to what the law says they can do, so why do you care if the law is changed in this regard?

    --
    http://lkml.org/lkml/2005/8/20/95
  95. Hit and Run solution? by T+Murphy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    For a while now I've wondered if it would be feasible to make these black boxes exchange info when a collision occurs, making it much harder to get away with a hit-and-run. As the car would broadcast the data upon detecting a collision, receivers could also be put up at intersections to direcly communicate to the local authorities, which would help with car/pedestrian hit-and-run events where there is no victim black box to otherwise receive the data.

  96. Re: think long and hard by cayenne8 · · Score: 2

    I have to have proof of insurance when I go to the DMV to put register my car and get plates for it. How is insurance not mandatory?

    That is set by your state, not the feds.

    And not all states have the same insurance requirements. I think some don't require it...and I believe a couple will let you prove you have a bond or money in escrow in lieu of insurance.

    So, that is a state thing my friend.

    Hmm...that reminds me...where in the Constitutions does it authorize the Federal govt to put a data recording and tracking device on my car?

    Seriously...how is THAT interstate commerce?!?!

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
  97. Re: think long and hard by 517714 · · Score: 1

    Per the 10th they MAY have the authority. The next line of protections of our liberties are the state constitutions which may or may not reserve that power to the state.

    --
    The US government have made it clear that we have no inalienable rights; any we do not defend vigorously will be taken.
  98. Re: think long and hard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Um.. I said no such thing. Unless you consider having health insurance to be a "penalty".

    Again, as I understood it, they raised taxes across the board to pay for something that they were already paying for. If an uninsured patient is brought into the ER, treated, and then it turns out they are unable to foot the bill, it was Uncle Sam that picked up the tab. Perhaps not directly from the patient or the hospital, but it worked its way to Uncle Sam. If you have insurance, then your bill was picked up by your insurance company. As a result, you got a tax credit* since Uncle Sam would never need to pick up your tab.

    Now if you'd like to argue that Uncle Sam shouldn't be picking up the tab in the first place, fair enough. I can respect that answer. But if you think that the across the board tax increase should be removed, and that Uncle Sam should continue picking up the tab on people who are unable to pay their hospital bills, well... I'd hate to see your home budget.

    *I did see the part about how the tax credit isn't yet in place, thank you to the person who informed us of that.

  99. Violates right to privacy. by Jackie_Chan_Fan · · Score: 1

    Doesnt this violate privacy laws? Your car is your own private property. Random people can not just use your car at will. You have a key, it locks the doors, starts the engine. It is private property. It is yours. If someone else takes it, they are stealing private property under the law.

    So we've established that a car is private property. How can they log and track your private property?

    The only possible reason is because it is on public roads, but so what? If you're simply driving your vehicle, why should anyone have the ability to log what happens in your vehicle?

    1. Re:Violates right to privacy. by tomhath · · Score: 1

      If you're simply driving your vehicle, why should anyone have the ability to log what happens in your vehicle?

      "Anyone" doesn't have that ability. The black box is a recorder, like the odometer that's recording how many miles the car was driven. The law only requires that the data can be accessed if you allow it or police get a warrant because the car was in a reportable accident.

    2. Re:Violates right to privacy. by tftp · · Score: 1

      If you're simply driving your vehicle, why should anyone have the ability to log what happens in your vehicle?

      A Devil's Advocate will say that nobody wants to log what's happening inside of your vehicle. However the vehicle itself is open to public view, and anyone can measure its speed and acceleration if they want to. Therefore access to the black box does not reveal anything that an external observer would be able to learn. The black box will only provide most accurate measurements.

      So the following scenario will play out:

      "Citizen, I observed your car moving 10 mph over the speed limit. You can consent to retrieval of the black box data, and if the black box doesn't register a violation I will let you go. Or you can refuse the read of the black box, then I will treat it as an admission of guilt."

      Stop everyone, of course, including Amish carts. 100% will have something in the black box to hang them.

  100. Re: think long and hard by gmanterry · · Score: 1

    remember when the Republicans used to be all about civil liberties and keeping the government from crawling up your ass?

    The article CLEARLY states that two top Democrat politicians in the Senate which is run by Democrats pushed hard to pass this. The problem seems to be that the Republicans have gone so far right and the Democrats have gone so far left that they have met in the 180 degree neversphere. There is ZERO difference in either party's ultimate goal, enslavement of the public, only in the method. Capitalism or Communism.

    --
    Since when is "public safety" the root password to the Constitution?
  101. Re: think long and hard by 517714 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Yeah, he was the one who desegregated schools under the law passed during the Kennedy administration. Where were Kennedy and Johnson on that one? As a Senator he voted for the civil rights bills that came to vote. As VP, he helped shepherd the Civil Rights Act of 1957 through Congress. Nixon implemented the Philadelphia Plan in 1970 - the first significant federal affirmative action program. He endorsed the Equal Rights Amendment when it went to the states for ratification. There are lots of true negative things you can say about Nixon, but his Civil Rights record isn't one of them.

    --
    The US government have made it clear that we have no inalienable rights; any we do not defend vigorously will be taken.
  102. Re:dream fund raiser by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

    speeding? automatic ticket.

    oxygen sensor broken, but you just ignored it and drove around with the check engine light on? environmental fine.

    oh, you commute 60 miles one way to work? that's in excess of what the green czar said a reasonable commute should be, carbon fine.

    tire air sensors reporting low air pressure? you're wasting fuel efficiency & gas, carbon fine.

    didn't put your seatbelt on until AFTER you puled out on to a public road? seatbelt fine.

    the possibilies are endless.

    Legal precedent disagrees.

    --
    An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  103. Not mandatory in all new cars.... by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

    ...new passenger motor vehicles sold in the United States be equipped with an event data recorder that meets the requirements under that part.

    This means that a) personal imports wouldn't be required to have them and b) kit cars you build yourself wouldn't be required to have them. It's only a requirement that cars built for the purpose of first sale within the US have them.

    Of course, there will likely be amendments to cover the other angles over time.

    1. Re:Not mandatory in all new cars.... by toddestan · · Score: 1

      I don't think they'll be too worried about that. Generally if a car is not sold in the US it's difficult to get it registered with the DMV so that you can drive it on public roads, with some exceptions for older collector cars. If you want to import a foreign car it's nearly impossible to get it past customs if it's not a collector car (over 25 years old). If anything, they'll start going after the millions of older cars that will be grandfathered in when the new system goes into place.

  104. Re:Down With Big Brother by Tassach · · Score: 1

    anyways, the book was about information control. The internet has made Big Brother impossible.

    No, the book was about total control of everything. Information control was only part of it.

    Why mandate a telescreen in every room when you can get people to BUY the latest, greatest telescreen as a status symbol and carry it around with them everywhere they go? Why bother suppressing the truth when half the proles would rather believe lies that pander to their ignorance, and the other half are too distracted by mindless entertainment to care?

    Huxley was much closer to the truth than Orwell.

    --
    Why is it that the proponents of "one nation under God" are so eager to get rid of "liberty and justice for all"?
  105. Re: think long and hard by butchersong · · Score: 1

    Yeah. I cannot believe the lack of knowledge about the new health insurance mandate in some of the above posts. It seems like we went for weeks with nothing else being discussed in the news and among my friends. As the law was written, you will buy insurance or you will be fined. It is a mandate. The supreme court justices noted with some amusement that the government called it a fine and then a tax and then a fine depending on which argument they happened to be trying to win at the time. This indeed is not yet implemented. Also, employers WILL provide health insurance or they will be fined. These fines increase year to year initially I think that the fine per employee is something like 6% of that employees salary and grows from there. I doubt it will stand but I guess looking at the results from 1942 Wickard vs Filburn anything is possible.

  106. Re: think long and hard by butchersong · · Score: 1

    Government is necessary. Laws are necessary. These are though necessary evils. You can't argue that someone is more free when there are restrictions placed on what they can do by men with guns. At the same time you can't argue that mankind would be better off (outside of some kind of Eden) with no government at all. So the best solution would logically be as much government intrusion as necessary and no more. I don't think many people would seriously argue with this. It is the question of how much is necessary that is the major point of contention. Start reading here: http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php&title=343

  107. Palm crystals used in "Logan's Run" by Paul+Fernhout · · Score: 2

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logan's_Run
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logan's_Run_(film)
    "To track this, the humans are implanted at birth with a Lifeclock crystal in the palm of their hand that changes colors as they approach their "Last Day". To maintain order, the computer has assigned Sandmen (officially known as DS agents, de facto executioners), who pursue and terminate Runners (those who try to avoid Carrousel)."

    --
    A 21st century issue: the irony of technologies of abundance in the hands of those still thinking in terms of scarcity.
  108. Re: think long and hard by AlamedaStone · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Republicans have gone so far right and the Democrats have gone so far left

    Minor correction: The Republicans have gone so brutally far to the right that the Democrats' gentle drift to the right appears to be leftwards motion; It is only an optical illusion though.

    Although if you really believe Democrats are in favor of communism then facts may not be terribly interesting to you.

    --
    "All these years believing you're the signified monkey, only to find out you're just a big hunk of nobody cares."
  109. this would be fun for personal use by ffflala · · Score: 1

    I know this is /. and we're supposed to focus only on the glaring privacy issues because that's how the discussion must be framed, but beyond that context there are actual great uses for this tech.

    I would find this level of analysis of my own driving habits useful for improving. Throw in time-synced biofeedback monitoring + cameras on each angle, and, for example, you could identify the closest proximity a vehicle had to your before you became aware of it. You could review your closest calls, and get addition insight into how you might be able to improve your driving skills.

    There's also the problem that, if self-driving cars are to be an eventual reality, real-time monitoring of velocity and operating controls will be a necessary step. And yes, I've heard Franklin's quote about sacrificing liberty for safety, but to be fair the man lived in the age of the horse-drawn carriage.

    To elevate a liberty concept on measurable driving data --which essentially measures precisely how one is operating a vehicle on public roads, not some form of communication-- above the public safety concern seems to be an awfully bloody business. US vehicle deaths have gradually dropped from a peak of 54,589 in 1972 to 32,885 last year. (Interestingly, that's now around the number of motor vehicle deaths around 1929.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motor_vehicle_deaths_in_U.S._by_year

  110. Re:Hollywood-style solution by AlamedaStone · · Score: 1

    Did you also walk uphill both ways to school in the snow without shoes? Did they still say 'dickity'? Was tying an onion to your belt still the style at the time?

    I don't remember any of that, but you could get five bees for a quarter.

    --
    "All these years believing you're the signified monkey, only to find out you're just a big hunk of nobody cares."
  111. Re: think long and hard by yndrd1984 · · Score: 1

    As Jefferson stated, that is the natural tendency of the party system: 1 for more government; 1 for less government ...

    ... and the first shall always triumph over the second.

  112. Data Abnormality by Sunshinerat · · Score: 4, Funny

    Father to Daughter/Son

    Hmm, there seems to be some abnormality in the data, the blackbox registered that you were driving on a saw-tooth road, yet the vehicle was not moving.

    --
    Load New Commander (Y/N)?
    1. Re:Data Abnormality by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Son to Father

      Believe me dad, the car was moving ;)

  113. Kinda makes used cars suddenly look good! by Paracelcus · · Score: 1

    Keep that old clunker!

    --
    I killed da wabbit -Elmer Fudd
  114. Current Black boxes by nurb432 · · Score: 1

    Doesnt retain information for long, expect that to change. They will be able to tell where/when you drove and your stopping/starting habits for years gone past.

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
  115. Re: think long and hard by readin · · Score: 1

    Yes, we all remember those proud defenders of civil liberties, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

    It's kind of jarring seeing those two names in the same sentence - like someone saying "those proud defenders of freedom, Joseph Stalin and Mohandas Gandhi".

    I think a few Republicans, Reagan is one of them, did care about civil liberties and smaller government - but I think too many Republicans have just talked about it (which is more than most of the Democrats do).

    --
    I often don't like the choices people make, but I like the fact that people make choices. That's why I'm a conservative.
  116. Re: think long and hard by readin · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Justice Scalia objected to the Independent Counsel law because it allowed the prosecutor to dig into the President's affairs to try to find a crime, any crime, that had been committed. This differed from traditional law enforcement where there was first an allegation of a specific crime and then the investigators looked for evidence of that crime.

    The black box is like the former. It is something the police can look at to see if any crimes were committed rather than reacting to a crime that was known to have been committed.

    This might not be so bad if we weren't drowning in traffic laws (and every other kind of law). The truth is that it is nearly impossible to drive safely while following all the traffic laws. If the police want to nail you for something, they can follow you around for a while and probably get you. But at least you have a decent chance of knowing they're following, and they have to stop you the moment you commit the offense.

    But the black box allows another approach. For whatever reason, the police decide they don't like you. Now they can pull your black box and check your driving history to find something - anything - at any time. And you may not even remember the event (that time you had to accelerate to avoid the deer - well you exceeded the speed limit and since you don't remember it you can't offer any defense).

    Politicians and celebrities have to be on guard all the time because there is always some paparazzi or other camera on them. The rest of us don't want to live like that.

    --
    I often don't like the choices people make, but I like the fact that people make choices. That's why I'm a conservative.
  117. Re: think long and hard by readin · · Score: 1

    "A bill already passed by the Senate and set to be rubber stamped by the House"

    The senate is controlled by Democrats.

    Remember when the Democrats used to be all about civil liberties and keeping the government from crawling up your ass?

    I'm only in my 40s, so no.

    --
    I often don't like the choices people make, but I like the fact that people make choices. That's why I'm a conservative.
  118. Re: think long and hard by readin · · Score: 1

    I see "going to the right" as limiting the power and scope of government (by getting rid of laws and decreasing spending). "Going to the left" is expanding the power and scope of government (by increasing regulation and spending). When was the last time either party went to the right?

    --
    I often don't like the choices people make, but I like the fact that people make choices. That's why I'm a conservative.
  119. Re: think long and hard by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 1

    So if Massachusetts wants to mandate the purchase of hospital insurance, they can. I think that's anti-freedom idea but, per the 10th, they have the authority. The central government does not.

    Okay, this makes sense. Here's the work-around: Tie the requirement to some hunk of money from the Federal Government. Highway funds, or the like. "Don't have medical insurance? No highway funds!"

    Hey, it worked for the drinking age...

  120. Re: think long and hard by Hatta · · Score: 2

    Please. did you forget about the War on Drug Users? The ascendency of the religious right? Are you even aware of how many times Reagan raised taxes? Do you understand that his Reaganomics is responsible for the extreme economic inequality we are burdened with today?

    Almost everything that is wrong with our government now can be traced back to Ronald Reagan.

    --
    Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
  121. Re: think long and hard by AlamedaStone · · Score: 1

    I see "going to the right" as limiting the power and scope of government (by getting rid of laws and decreasing spending). "Going to the left" is expanding the power and scope of government (by increasing regulation and spending). When was the last time either party went to the right?

    I suppose you can define anything in any way you choose, but you may have trouble being taken seriously by people with a more complete understanding of reality.

    --
    "All these years believing you're the signified monkey, only to find out you're just a big hunk of nobody cares."
  122. Re: think long and hard by OhPlz · · Score: 1

    There is no such tax credit. Worse, the Obama administration wants to make the insurance benefit that many of us receive from our employers taxable. That means we'll be paying more in taxes, not less. The mandate has a penalty for non-compliance, which the administration's lawyer frequently called a tax when this was argued in front of SCOTUS. Several of the justices questioned why he kept using different terms when arguing different points. This was all an attempt to dance around the fact that it's a fine which makes it a mandate. We're in a holding pattern now until the justices release their verdict.

  123. Re: think long and hard by Frank+T.+Lofaro+Jr. · · Score: 1

    When people's very presence inside the USA is illegal, I don't think they are worried about car insurance!

    --
    Just because it CAN be done, doesn't mean it should!
  124. Re:Hollywood-style solution by Frank+T.+Lofaro+Jr. · · Score: 1

    A weapon won't help you steal something from someone who doesn't have it available to steal. How many people will have fuel left, considering many people are running on empty as is. How many people have communications equipment beyond a radio and cells phones and computer that do no good when the infrastructure is gone.

    Though in the worst case, any person could be used as food and fuel (bio-diesel from body fat).

    --
    Just because it CAN be done, doesn't mean it should!
  125. Re:Hollywood-style solution by roc97007 · · Score: 1

    I think his idea was to acquire supplies from people who had stockpiled but were against owning firearms.

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  126. Re: think long and hard by dr2chase · · Score: 1

    Regarding "throw away your lightbulbs" -- I believe George Bush signed that bill.

    In addition, the requirements (the current ones) can be met with halogen lightbulbs (they're sufficiently efficient) which are not very different from incandescent bulbs in light quality (they are somewhat bluer). And, given modest assumptions about the price of electricity or how many hours per day you run a light bulb, the new LED lights (the one I tried was about $30 at Home Depot) pay for themselves quickly, and work very well -- they are on instantly, have better light, are durable, contain no mercury. I am sure that the much more expensive new Philips light has even better light quality, though it will not pay for itself as quickly. I've also read a good review of CREE EcoSmart LED bulbs. CREE is a good name (I use CREE and Philips LEDs on bicycles that live outdoors in Massachusetts; summing over all the bikes and all the LEDs, over 20 LED-years of weather exposure, with no failures).

    I know this is off-topic, but you were just completely wrong, and on the internet, too.

  127. Will my car insurance go down? by gelfling · · Score: 1

    No of course not, only up.

  128. Re: think long and hard by cpu6502 · · Score: 1

    >>>they offered a tax credit for those that already had insurance, much the same way that there is a tax credit for replacing your older doors/windows with new energy efficient doors/windows.

    NOPE.
    Once the law takes effect in 2014, you will receive no tax credit or deduction for having insurance. Instead you will be punished. You will be assessed a penalty of ~$1000. (Actual amount varies depending on your income.)

    It's too bad they didn't do it your way (with a credit), because then it would be legal. But to force people to buy a product, or else be punished with a penalty, violates the 10th amendment. Only the Member States hold that power (and even then it may violate the state's constitution or enumeration of rights).

    --
    My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
  129. Re:Hollywood-style solution by DigiTechGuy · · Score: 1

    In all honesty most of my vehicles do have electronic ignition, but that's as modern as I get so far as vehicles. I believe simplicity is reliability and won't touch fuel injection for anything I depend on to get to work. Everything I've converted to electronic ignition I have the original points ignition for, along with a fresh set of points and condenser. Doesn't take long to change and I can be mobile while other people are walking or riding pedal-cycles. My bike is a kick start too, a CB750. I still run dual points in that though and it always fires up first kick.

  130. Re: think long and hard by phantomfive · · Score: 1

    There is no opinion, platform, or creed held so dearly by either party that they will not change as soon as it is advantageous to do so.

    --
    "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
  131. depends where you are driving by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    The operation of a vehicle in and of itself is not controlled or restricted. The operation of a vehicle *on public property* (i.e. public roads) is a privilege subject to controls.

  132. Re: think long and hard by yoshi_mon · · Score: 1

    I predict it will happen within the Republican party...

    Yeah, good luck with that. The religious right is not about to let to any time soon.

    --

    Really, I know what I'm doing...Ohhhh, look at the shiny buttons!
  133. The seats will be equipped with robotic tentacles by steve.cri · · Score: 2

    to commit immediate body cavity searches on all passengers, on remote GSM commands. The GSM access codes will be issued primarily to law enforcement agencies, but may also be outsourced to corporations who can show that they have a legitimate interest to penetrate peoples orifices in search for e.g. heinous violations of intellectual property. The law also provides an opt-out possibilty, providing takers with a handgun and a single bullet within 24 hours after requesting so.

  134. Progressive by ThatsNotPudding · · Score: 1

    Progressive Insurance - and no doubt others - already offer a plug-in spy box in exchange for lower insurance rates. But mainly the data will be used as justification to deny damn near every claim.

  135. Horses.... by facetiousprogrammer · · Score: 1

    Time to go back using horses I guess.....

    1. Re:Horses.... by Criton · · Score: 1

      Enjoy shoveling poop.

  136. Its horrible until... by MDillenbeck · · Score: 1

    Yup, people hate this - at least, they will until the first time idiot on the road not paying attention plows into them and the black box helps them with an insurance claim. If its a good idea for a plane, why isn't a black box recorder for accidents not a good idea for cars (assuming you are the idiot driver)?

    If you are worried about tracking, its already too late. You most likely carry the ultimate tracker in your pocket if you are on this site (your smartphone), which is doing a far better job than your car.

    1. Re:Its horrible until... by Criton · · Score: 1

      Then it's horrible again when some keystone cop or worse yet some fed dl's the data and uses it against them.

  137. Re:Hollywood-style solution by kilfarsnar · · Score: 1

    Did they still say 'dickity'? Was tying an onion to your belt still the style at the time?

    We had to say dickity, 'cause the Kaiser stole our number twenty!

    --
    "What the American public doesn't know is what makes them the American public." -Ray Zalinsky (Tommy Boy)
  138. Re: think long and hard by scot4875 · · Score: 1

    That is set by your state, not the feds.

    This is a stupid argument.

    Are you going to claim that if each state decided to have an individual mandate for health insurance, you'd have no problem with it?

    Either the individual mandate is bad, or it's not -- who imposes it is a completely moot point.

    --Jeremy

    --
    Jesus was a liberal
  139. Re: think long and hard by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

    Now if you are gay they only care about keeping another guy from crawling up your ass.

    --
    Time to offend someone
  140. Of course it's bad. by T-Bucket · · Score: 1

    But what's stopping me from just removing the power wire to the damn thing? No problem then. "No officer, I had no idea they messed up installing that spy device and now my car has no evidence against me!"

  141. Re: think long and hard by JBaustian · · Score: 1

    This is a transportation funding bill -- without its passage, the money will run out in in June. So the Democrats added this amendment to the bill, figuring Republicans will not want to shut down construction projects across the country.

    Obama says he will veto the legislation if it includes approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. Let's see if this black-box amendment is defeated in the House.

  142. Re: think long and hard by RockDoctor · · Score: 1

    Many people don't have car insurance.
    [SNIP LIST]

    • - people who own vehicles that are not driven on public roads (e.g. farm vehicles on farms whose land is in one contiguous block)
    • - people who own vehicles on islands with less than a mile of public road and no scheduled vehicle ferry service

    And I think there are a small number of other classes too.

    I was commiserating in the pub with a local farmer who had saved himslef a couple of hundred quid a year by not insuring his old rust bucket of a Landie (Land Rover, Mark 1 IIRC) with the intention of just using it to get around on the hills of the farm. Perfectly legal. He had another "tidy" car for going to town, visiting,etc. Then one day he needed to post a letter and took the wrong vehicle down to the post box in the village, where the vehicle was spotted by passing traffic cops, who investigated . . . several hundred quid fine, a criminal conviction, points on his license, much embarrassment. "Won't be mekkin' that mistake agin, yooth!"

    Oh, I see you're an American. Well, I'd be surprised if there weren't such let-out clauses for your laws too. Privately-owned islands ; large blocks of private land.

    --
    Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
  143. Re:Hollywood-style solution by RockDoctor · · Score: 1

    (bio-diesel from body fat).

    Only as long as you've got a stock of caustic material (sodium or potassium hydroxide). Another consumable (and fairly rare) chemical.

    Though ... I wonder if you could do the same job with calcium hydroxide? That you can make with reasonably low tech (roast limestone to form quicklime ; add water to the quicklime to form slaked lime : calcium hydroxide).

    --
    Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
  144. Re: think long and hard by jp10558 · · Score: 1

    What I'd like to know is compared to CFL bulbs though. Around 2000 I switched primarily to CFLs due to the availability of ones for ~$2ea plus the energy savings and long life - I get between 5-7 years in most applications - far longer than even the "long life" incandescents...

    The issue I have is I have a bunch of spare CFLs, and I'm currently using a bunch that I expect to last for at least 3 more years. I'm not sure it makes any sense to scrap all of these, at FAR higher initial purchase price to switch to LEDs. I suppose I have plenty of time to wait for the LEDs to get down to $2ea like the CFLs are.

    The other issue is the only benefit I see is that the LEDs might be a little brighter (75w equiv vs 60w equiv, but really, what's the Lumens?) but aren't saving any wattage draw, or if they are, it's around 3w per bulb rather than 50w per bulb from Incandescents to CFL. Just not that enticing - and I maintain that even if I was full Incandescents right now, I still would go CFL vs LED just because of the up front cost savings.

    --
    Opera, Proxomitron-Grypen,GPG 0x0A1C6EE3
  145. Re: think long and hard by dr2chase · · Score: 1

    If you're okay with the look/fit/not-always-dimmable-ness of CFLs, definitely use up the ones you've got. My wife has better color sense than I do, and some of them bug her (and there's reasons why this would be so, the light really is different). We also have a bunch of ceiling cans, and the ceiling gets plenty cold in the winter, and thus they are slow to come on bright then.

    And hopefully, by the time you use up your CFLs, LEDs will be cheaper, and a hair more efficient. What I would do, if you do have some of those "pisses me off" CFL problems, is selectively replace those particular CFLs with LEDs, and then carry on. That's what I've done -- where the light matters to my wife, it tends to be LED bulbs.

    One place where LEDs totally kick ass is underneath cabinets, to light counters.
    http://dr2chase.wordpress.com/2008/10/19/more-undercabinet-lights/
    http://dr2chase.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/undercabinet-lights-basement-kitchen/

  146. Re: think long and hard by jmcvetta · · Score: 1

    Seriously...how is THAT interstate commerce?!?!

    The congressmen who voted for it were bought by out-of-state lobbyists?

  147. All I can say is fuck no. by Criton · · Score: 1

    I'd rather drive an older car then have some black box in my car or you can just remove the thing it's very easy to make an ECM better then the factory one now aka megasquirt avr.