WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new rule issued by the U.S. Dept of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires automakers to tell new-car buyers if an Event Data Recorder (EDR) has been installed, according to Telematics Update. The new federal rule, which takes effect starting with 2011-model year vehicles, will require automakers who have chosen to install EDRs to note in the owner’s manual that the safety monitoring equipment has been installed. The rule also includes new requirements designed to ensure that the data collected by EDRs can be used to improve highway safety. For example, the rule requires EDRs to be more durable to protect data during a crash. The rule also requires automakers to collect the same type of crash data if they chose to install an EDR. NHTSA noted that having access to uniform crash information from EDRs, regardless of the vehicle’s manufacturer, will help investigators recreate crash scenes to determine the causes. The rule will support the development of new safety regulations based on accurate crash information that NHTSA collects from vehicle owners who agree to share information from their EDRs with the agency. The new federal regulation will apply to all passenger vehicles and light trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 8,500 lbs. or less. NHTSA will separately evaluate EDR use in larger vehicles.