The black box data recorder is well known in the aviation industry and provides vital data in the event of a crash or mid air incident. The EU has recently concluded a study that could see similar technology used in new cars. A three-year study commissioned by the European commission’s transport arm, that cost nearly €3 million, has recommended the mandatory installation of boxes in all cars. It proposes that they record data on speed, movements, braking and indicating, but would only be activated by a sudden change in vehicle behaviour such as in the lead up to an accident. The information could then be used by police and insurance to reconstruct events and determine fault.

Called Project Veronica, the researchers argue that such technology would expose bogus claims and save insurers millions of euro on payouts. The study also found that drivers with black boxes fitted to their vehicles were safer and 10% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident. Cars with the recording devices also sustained less serious damage, with average repair bills dropping by 25%. London’s Metropolitan police already use these recorders in their 3,500 cars and reported a £2m reduction in accident costs in 18 month as a result. In the US, similar technology is now standard on two-thirds of new vehicles.

However, motoring organisations and civil liberties groups have expressed concern over associated privacy and legal issues, fearing that the technology could be used as a back door surveillance method, or a means of introducing pay as you drive charges. There are also more practical issues to address such as who would pay the estimated cost of around €600 per vehicle.

At present the results of Project Veronica are only a recommendation, and the authors say individual states would need to agree to any scheme. However, with backing for the project in Brussels and the US already going down this road, do not be surprised to find black boxes common place on cars in the not too distant future.