The number of vehicles fitted with event data recorders (EDRs) and the amount of data available from EDRs is about to explode.

As of Sunday 7th July 2024, European Union (EU) legislation introduced sweeping changes which now force vehicle manufacturers to install an event data recorder (EDR) in all brand new cars, including light commercials. Previously, manufacturers were only required to fit EDRs when they introduced a new model, but now every vehicle produced will be required to have an EDR fitted.

This requirement, imposed by General Safety Regulation (2019/2144), will see 41 elements of data being made available to investigators, with a further 23 data elements being made available in the years ahead.

Whilst the requirement comes from EU legislation, many European vehicles find their ways to the UK, meaning UK investigators will soon have access to a substansial amount of investigative material.