My car's data recorder showed I wasn't at fault. Is this admissible as evidence?

What the Law Says

There is no EU-wide regulation specifically governing the admissibility of Event Data Recorder (EDR) data as evidence in civil or criminal proceedings. Instead, admissibility depends on national procedural laws, interpreted in light of EU fundamental rights — especially data protection under the GDPR.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to EDR data because it often constitutes personal data — e.g., speed, braking, seatbelt use linked to a driver or vehicle owner. Processing such data requires a lawful basis under Article 6, and appropriate security measures under Article 32.

Courts must assess EDR evidence for authenticity, integrity, and reliability — including how the data was collected, stored, accessed, and whether it was altered. National rules on electronic evidence (e.g., qualified electronic signatures or certified forensic extraction) may apply.

Since the EU has not harmonised rules on vehicle EDRs, Member States regulate installation, access, and use differently — some require driver consent, others permit access only by judicial authorities.

Statutory Text

Processing shall be lawful only if and to the extent that at least one of the following applies: (a) the data subject has given consent… (c) processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation…

— Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), Art. 6 — Lawfulness of processing

Statutory Text

The controller and the processor shall implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk.

— Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), Art. 32 — Security of processing

Sources