A bill already passed by the Senate and set to be rubber stamped by the House would make it mandatory for all new cars in the United States to be fitted with black box data recorders from 2015 onwards.
Section 31406 of Senate Bill 1813 (known as MAP-21), calls for “Mandatory Event Data Recorders” to be installed in all new automobiles and legislates for civil penalties to be imposed against individuals for failing to do so.
I've already read about some cases where the insurance companies subpoena these and then refuse to pay based upon the data.
Seems to me that that spells the death knell for auto insurance. Just keep an attorney on retainer; if the data says you're innocent sue the other driver. Who needs auto insurance? </sarcasm>
cydl, I think you hit the nail on the head. When I saw those commercials about insurance giving a better rate for having them watch your driving I knew it was bad news.
Some of the insurance companies are already advertising discounts if you'll let them install the "little black box"...And of course, if the box indicates that you were driving over the speed limit, etc., it would be grounds for denying the claim. That what it ultimately comes down to.
And there are all kinds of goodies hidden in this bill.
After clearing the Senate on a 74 – 22 vote on March 14, SB 1813 is now headed for a vote in the House of Representatives, where it’s expected to encounter stiffer opposition among the GOP majority.
In addition to authorizing appropriations for federal transportation and infrastructure programs, the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act” or “MAP-21″ includes a provision that would allow for the “revocation or denial” of a passport for anyone with “certain unpaid taxes” or “tax delinquencies”.
Sen. Harry Reid [D, NV] Attached Amendment giving new power to the IRS to revoke and suspend passports. I wonder what other "gems" are hidden in this bill?
