airplane

Bob Denny had no idea there was a “black box” in his late model car. “I’ve heard of them on airplanes but wasn’t aware of them on cars,” said the retired State Farm Insurance Cos. employee.

Denny, who was waiting for his car at a Bloomington-Normal auto repair shop, isn’t alone.

“I think it’s a safe assumption that many people don’t know,” said Rae Tyson, a spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which will require manufacturers to notify vehicle owners of the presence of devices by 2011.