What does an event data recorder do?

An event data recorder (EDR) is specifically designed to capture critical information related to vehicle dynamics leading up to, during, and immediately after a crash event. This includes data such as vehicle speed, acceleration, braking behavior, and even airbag deployment timing. The primary purpose of the EDR is to provide valuable insights that can help investigators understand the circumstances surrounding a crash, thus playing a crucial role in safety analysis and accident investigation.

The other options do not accurately capture the full scope of what an EDR does. For instance, recording audio data or monitoring fuel efficiency does not align with the primary function of an EDR, which is focused on crash-related metrics rather than ongoing vehicle performance or recordings of conversations. Additionally, while capturing speed is a part of its capabilities, an EDR records a wider range of data before and after a crash rather than just speed alone.