Adopted in 2019, Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament aims to improve road safety and the protection of vehicle occupants. It provides for the obligation to equip new models of vehicles built in the European Union with automated safety devices and in particular a black box.

All new vehicles shall be equipped with the following security features:

• Intelligent Speed Adaptation System (ISA);
• interface to enable the mounting of an alcohol ignition interlock (alcohol test);
• driver drowsiness and loss of attention alert systems;
• driver distraction early warning systems;
• emergency stop signals;
• Reverse detection systems;
• event data loggers (black boxes);
• accurate tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

This system was already applicable throughout Europe since 6 July 2022 for new approvals of cars, vans, trucks and buses. Since 6 July 2024, this also applies to new vehicle registrations.

What data is recorded by the black box?

The black box is a small box equipped with an electronic chip that records data provided by the vehicle as:

• speed;
• the acceleration or braking phase;
• use of seat belts;
• the use of the turn signal;
• the force of the collision;
• the engine speed or vehicle inclination 30 seconds before the accident and 10 seconds after the impact.

This new device for recording certain driving data must enable better identify the causes of a road accident.

The black box in cars does not record any personal data about the driver or passengers of the vehicle such as sounds and conversations inside the passenger compartment.

The recorded data will only be used in the event of an accident. Only investigators, judicial authorities or research institutes should have access to the black box data.