by Lewis Wuest

Created on: February 25, 2007   Last Updated: April 16, 2007

We have all heard about the search for the black boxes every time an airplane crashes. Airplane crash investigators use the information in these boxes to help them determine the cause of the crash.

Several years ago automobile manufacturers began putting black boxes in their vehicles. While these black boxes are not as comprehensive as the boxes in airplanes, they do not monitor near as many parameters as those in airplanes, they can provide information to help in the investigation of collisions.

After a collision the investigator accesses the box through the cars standard onboard diagnostic connection. Using adapters he connects a computer to the diagnostic connection and special software pulls the collected data from the black box. Some of the information collected includes the throttle position, engine rpm, and whether the seat belt is buckled.

It is important to understand that while the information can help with the investigation of a collision, the information by itself can not provide a cause. The information can point the investigator in the right direction; however investigators must still perform a complete investigation. They must look at all the other evidence, just as they did before the black boxes arrived on scene, to be sure of their conclusions.

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