Stability control soon to be compulsory in Europe?

"No cars without ESP"!

For a little over ten years, parts manufacturer Bosch was the only one to defend the importance of the stability control system, which uses wheel sensors and ABS information to put vehicles back on track in difficult situations.

Then car manufacturers put their weight behind the issue, with studies carried out by Toyota and Volkswagen showing that ESP could reduce the risk of accidents by 25 to 50%. It was even calculated that the number of accidents in Germany could be reduced by 7 to 11% if all vehicles were equipped with ESP. It is commonly acknowledged that 40% of road accidents in Europe are the result of skidding, and that stability control can reduce such accidents by up to 80%.

The European Commission is now carrying the torch and strongly encouraging drivers to equip themselves with such a system, maintaining that this could save 4,000 lives a year in Europe.

Michael Schumacher
© Union Européenne

ESP set to change its name

The campaign slogan is "Choose ESC". You will note, incidentally, that Brussels is no longer using the term ESP. Why? This acronym, invented by Bosch, has been renamed by certain manufacturers DSC (BMW), DTSC (Volvo), PSM (Porsche) and VSC (Toyota/Lexus).

As a result, the Commission deemed it simpler to take a more neutral term and impose ESC (Electronic Stability Control). This choice is all the more practical since this is the term used in the United States, where ESC has been made compulsory on new cars (as of 2009, then on all cars in 2011). So we can expect to see manufacturers changing the names in their sales brochures.

The European Commission is actively communicating via a web site and a video, in which Michael Schumacher has collaborated! (www.chooseesc.eu)

Constantly evolving equipment

Recognised as being of public benefit, the stability control system makes it possible to brake each wheel individually and steer the vehicle in the direction that the driver wishes to take. The system will therefore react at lightning speed, checking 25 times per second the angle of the steering wheel against the actual vehicle direction. Its job is to brake the relevant wheel to restore balance. Beyond a certain speed, ESP (sorry, ESC!) will not work any miracles, but this is equipment that will get you out of many a tricky situation on wet road surfaces or in tight corners.

The system is increasing in efficiency and comfort year by year. It also integrates new features with, for example, a link to the steering (to ensure braking in a straight line when grip is different on each side of the vehicle, by slightly steering into the skid), or post-accident management. Bosch has thus devised a system that automatically brakes the car using ESP in the event of a rear impact so that it does not leave the road or flip over.

Better road holding when weaving through traffic, combined active and passive safety: stability control certainly continues to surprise.