Learn How ESP/ESC Could Save Your Life

Sunday, 7. September 2008

Some good news on the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) front. The EC has moved to make ESC compulsory on all new cars. The bad news is that the system will only be phased in from 2012 and made compulsory from 2014. You will recall that this is the system that checks your speed vs angle of steering and slows you down if you are about to go into a skid, it also applies power and/or braking to the wheels that are gripping. It’s an amazing system that was created by Bosche and is estimated to already save more lives than ABS which is compulsory on all new cars. It can’t come quick enough for me and I feel that it is the one safety feature you should check for when ordering a new car. I certainly try to make sure I list it in the spec. when creating my deal of the week flyer. Some safety authorities are suggesting that companies should not give their drivers company cars without ESC fitted as part of their duty of care. In addition to the ESC proposals Brussels has also proposed that there should also be mandatory fitting of low rolling resistance tyres and tyre pressure monitoring systems in 2012, which it says will boost fuel economy and reduce emissions which it says will reduce by 7g/km. They also pointed out that under inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by 4% and reduce the tyre’s lifespan by up to 45%. By Graham Hill