NHTSAProposed Rule

Event Data Recorders

TransportationTechnology

Summary

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is proposing new rules about event data recorders, commonly known as 'black boxes,' which are devices in vehicles that record crash information. These rules would standardize what data cars must capture during accidents and how that information can be used, affecting car safety, insurance claims, and driver privacy.

Key Points

  • 1The rule establishes what information event data recorders must collect during crashes, such as speed, braking, and steering data
  • 2It sets standards for how long vehicles must keep this crash data and who can access it (police, insurance companies, vehicle owners)
  • 3The regulation affects all new cars and trucks sold in the United States
  • 4It aims to improve vehicle safety by giving researchers better data to understand how crashes happen
  • 5The public can submit comments about this proposed rule until December 30, 2025 before it becomes final

Impact Assessment

If you are a vehicle manufacturer, this means you must install standardized event data recorders in vehicles and ensure compliance with new data capture and usage protocols, increasing production costs and engineering requirements.

Impact Level
Significant
Geographic Scope

National

Compliance Cost

Significant

Who is Affected
ManufacturersConsumersTransportation CompaniesTechnology Companies

Key Dates

Published

November 28, 2025

Comment Deadline

December 30, 2025

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Regulatory Connections

Amends CFR Sections
49 CFR Part 571

This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.

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