Bi brother gets nearer

The European Commission is intending that all cars, presumably beginning with new ones. will have an EDR (Event Data Recorder) fitted, to monitor car speed application of brakes, use of indicators and horns. There has already been a £5.5 million project, called veronica, to evaluate the idea.

They will sell it to us, although it will be compulsory, as a way for insurance companies and the police to decide fault, and also to check that all safety devices working. The equipment will cut in whenever there is a sudden change of speed and operate for a few seconds either side of a collision.

There is likely to be resistance, because the units will cost in the region of £500, and because of the intrusive possibilities. How long before a radio link is installed to warn the authorities that a collision has occurred, and why not eventually propose that since some collisions occurred at level speed the units should be on all the time with the ignition. Perhaps the car location and car charging equipment could be used, and then they would have a complete picture of where we are at all times, as well as how we are driving.

Why do they need it? Most of the information is already ascertainable in other ways, and for small bumps insurance companies prefer a knock for knock equal guilt assumption as it saves time and removes no-claim bonus.

Thee are 30 million of so cars on our roads in the UK, so installing this equipment could cost as much as £15 billion. In these straightened times, it must surely be a non-starter.