New research, published today, has found vehicles equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are 25% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those without it. If every vehicle on the road were fitted with ESC, this would equate to approximately 380 fewer fatal accidents each year.
The research, released today at the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles Conference, concluded that ESC was especially effective in helping to prevent crashes that involved a vehicle skidding or overturning, with the potential to reduce serious accidents like this by up to 59%. As well as this, it concluded that ESC could offer additional benefits in adverse road conditions such as wet or snowy weather.
Road Safety Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman said:
"Today's research proves what a powerful tool ESC could be in saving lives. I urge anyone thinking of buying a new car to consider the safety benefits that ESC could bring. Ask the vendor if it comes as standard and, if not, investigate whether it could be fitted as an option. I also call on manufacturers to fit this important piece of kit as standard more widely - it's not expensive and has the potential to make our roads significantly safer."
ESC is a computer controlled technology which automatically controls the vehicle by comparing the driver's steering and braking actions to what is actually happening. On-board sensors measure the speed, steering wheel angle, direction of travel and lateral acceleration of the vehicle. If the calculated path of travel is different to that dictated by the sensors it will make a correction by applying individual brakes to correct the deviation.
Studies from various countries have already shown it to be very effective at reducing accidents, but this is the first study to specifically analyse UK roads.
The research, released today at the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles Conference, concluded that ESC was especially effective in helping to prevent crashes that involved a vehicle skidding or overturning, with the potential to reduce serious accidents like this by up to 59%. As well as this, it concluded that ESC could offer additional benefits in adverse road conditions such as wet or snowy weather.
Road Safety Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman said:
"Today's research proves what a powerful tool ESC could be in saving lives. I urge anyone thinking of buying a new car to consider the safety benefits that ESC could bring. Ask the vendor if it comes as standard and, if not, investigate whether it could be fitted as an option. I also call on manufacturers to fit this important piece of kit as standard more widely - it's not expensive and has the potential to make our roads significantly safer."
ESC is a computer controlled technology which automatically controls the vehicle by comparing the driver's steering and braking actions to what is actually happening. On-board sensors measure the speed, steering wheel angle, direction of travel and lateral acceleration of the vehicle. If the calculated path of travel is different to that dictated by the sensors it will make a correction by applying individual brakes to correct the deviation.
Studies from various countries have already shown it to be very effective at reducing accidents, but this is the first study to specifically analyse UK roads.
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