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What is an EDR?

An Event Data Recorder (EDR) is a device that stores data about the physical properties of a vehicle that is involved in an “event,” which can include an accident or near accident.

In their Final Rule on EDR standardization, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines an EDR as:

“a device or function in a vehicle that captures the vehicle’s dynamic, time-series data during the time period just prior to a crash event (e.g., vehicle speed vs. time) or during a crash event (e.g., delta-V vs. time), such that the data can be retrieved after the crash event. For the purposes of this definition, the event data do not include audio and video data.” (49 CFR 563.5)

NHTSA’s website on EDR research provides a slightly different definition, especially as it pertains to passenger car EDRs:

“When we use the term EDR in this site, we are referring to a device installed in a motor vehicle to record technical vehicle and occupant information for a brief period of time (seconds, not minutes) before, during and after a crash. For instance, EDRs may record (1) pre-crash vehicle dynamics and system status, (2) driver inputs, (3) vehicle crash signature, (4) restraint usage/deployment status, and (5) post-crash data such as the activation of an automatic collision notification (ACN) system. We are not using the term to include any type of device that either makes an audio or video record, or logs data such as hours of service for truck operators. EDRs are devices which record information related to an "event." In the context of this site the event is defined as a highway vehicle crash.”

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