On Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:25:53 -0700, bob mullen wrote:

> Wow. 30 seconds after a "triggering event", whatever that means.

Here is exactly what California says it means!
:-)


(13) (A) A video event recorder with the capability of monitoring driver
performance to improve driver safety, which may be mounted in a seven-inch
square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the
driver, in a five-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest
to the driver and outside of an airbag deployment zone, or in a five-inch
square mounted to the center uppermost portion of the interior of the
windshield. As used in this section, ´video event recorder¡ means a video
recorder that continuously records in a digital loop, recording audio,
video, and G-force levels, but saves video only when triggered by an
unusual motion or crash or when operated by the driver to monitor driver
performance.

(B) A vehicle equipped with a video event recorder shall have a notice
posted in a visible location which states that a passengerÿs conversation
may be recorded.

(C) Video event recorders shall store no more than 30 seconds before and
after a triggering event.

(D) The registered owner or lessee of the vehicle may disable the device.

(E) The data recorded to the device is the property of the registered owner
or lessee of the vehicle.

(F) When a person is driving for hire as an employee in a vehicle with a
video event recorder, the personÿs employer shall provide unedited copies
of the recordings upon the request of the employee or the employeeÿs
representative. These copies shall be provided free of charge to the
employee and within five days of the request.

(14) (A) A video event recorder in a commercial motor vehicle with the
capability of monitoring driver performance to improve driver safety, which
may be mounted no more than two inches below the upper edge of the area
swept by the windshield wipers, and outside the driverÿs sight lines to the
road and highway signs and signals. Subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of
paragraph (13) apply to the exemption provided by this paragraph.