Crash Data Record Systems (Continued from page 19)


secure the vehicle and module after an accident. This may not always be easy when the potential defendant owns the car. A motion to preserve evidence, pres- ervation letters to defendant(s), adjusters, police agencies, suit filing, etc. may be necessary to preserve the vehicle data. Once preserved, access by a qualified


accident reconstructionist, with the soft- ware and experience to use it, is required. Without adjustment for extensive time and travel, $2,500 - $5,000 is the ballpark cost for obtaining the data and having it interpreted along with the other necessary elements of the case. Time is of the es- sence and failure to act could expose the practitioner to criticism.


An Illustration of What the CDR Can Do. The facts outlined above, with the ex- ception of some missing details, are from an actual collision. The pickup truck op- erator claimed that he was within the speed limit. Information obtained from the CDR revealed that the vehicle’s pre- braking speed was 67 mph (in a 55 mph zone), and that braking occurred just two seconds prior to impact. Impact speed was 63 mph. That, standing alone, is helpful, but not dispositive. However, in conjunction with an analysis by an acci- dent reconstructionist, it was determined that the disabled vehicle was visible 333 feet from the point of impact. Thus, if moving at the speed limit of 55 mph, and utilizing the usual formula for perception/ braking and the coefficient of friction between the highway surface and the tires, the State Police concluded that the driver of the truck could have stopped his ve- hicle 38 feet prior to impact with prompt braking at the time of perception. How- ever, without knowing the sight distance that is based on other evidence gathered in the usual course of the investigation, the CDR data would not have been as useful.


Conclusion CDR’s, as they become more com- monplace, can provide a valuable tool in accident reconstruction and analysis. Caution is the watchword; however, as they are not the “all knowing oracle” and the data must be obtained promptly and used in conjunction with a proper inves- tigation and accident reconstructionist. Some useful links are appended to this


article, for additional information on ac- cident reconstruction and CDR’s.


20


CDR Software Vehicle Coverage


General Motors Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and Pontiac Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Saturn Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Geo, GMC, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Saturn Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Geo, GM EV1, GMC, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Saturn


Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Geo, GMC, GM EV1, Pontiac and Saturn (More models/More data)


Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Geo, GMC, GM EV1, Pontiac and Saturn (More models/More data)


Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Geo, GMC, GM EV1, Isuzu, Pontiac and Saturn (More models/More data)


Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Geo, GMC, GM EV1, Isuzu, Pontiac and Saturn (More models/More data)


Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Geo, GMC, GM EV1, Isuzu, Pontiac and Saturn (More models/More data)


Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Geo, GMC, GM EV1, Hummer, Isuzu, Pontiac and Saturn (More models/More data)


Ford Motor Company Crown Victoria, Taurus, Windstar, Lincoln Town Car, Mercury Grand Mar- quis and Mercury Sable


Crown Victoria, Windstar, Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis Crown Victoria, Windstar, Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis


Links for Further Information Vetronix Corporation


National Highway Transportation Safety Administration


Manufacturer of data collection soft- ware equipment. www.vetronix.com/diagnostics/cdr/ index.html


Federal transportation department articles concerning data.


collectors. www.nhtsa.dot.gov/edr-site/ media.html


Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Testing group funded by the insur- ance industry. www.hwysafety.org


Accident Reconstruction Network


Accident Reconstruction website with numerous articles about data recorders. www.accidentreconstruction.com/re- search/edr/index.asp


Collision Safety Institute (CSI)


Accreditation Commission for Accident Reconstruction


Cover & Wills, LLC Dennis F. O’Brien, P.A.


The Debate Over Event Data Recorders


www.itsa.org Trial Reporter


Private company that is the leader in CDR testing and education. www.collisionsafety.net


Accreditation commission for acci- dent reconstructionists. www.actar.org


Cover & Wills website. www.coverwills.com


Dennis F. O’Brien website. www.obielaw.com


Discussions of data collectors by a non-profit society that


assists in the development of “Intel- ligent Transportation Systems”. (Enter “data recorder” under search)


Fall 2003


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