The Use of a High Resolution Accident Data Recorder in the Field

The Mannesmann Kienzle UDS2165 Accident Data Recorder has been fitted to several vehicles in a fleet of cars in London as a trial of its effectiveness as an accident investigation tool. The characteristics of the device, which provides a record of driving for 30 seconds before and 15 seconds after an accident, are described together with the results from our trials. The advantages of such a device are considerable, in that it provides information which is either of greater accuracy than that obtained by traditional methods, or which is not otherwise available at all. This includes speed and acceleration, heading angle and the use of brakes, direction indicators and lights throughout the whole 45 second period.