ANCAP demands standard ESC
November 21, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (the people that do all the safety testing) has challenged both the Liberal and Labor party to ensure Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is standard in all vehicles manufactured and sold in Australia.
The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) has recently released a research showing how ESC markedly reduces single-vehicle crashes. The research looked at accidents in Australia involving cars with and without ESC and showed it is particularly effective in reducing single vehicle accidents.
“ESC has proven to reduce crashes – particularly roll-over crashes among four wheel drives – and ANCAP believes governments should move to ensure this is a standard feature on Australian cars,” ANCAP Chair Lauchlan McIntosh said.
The research found that ESC has the benefit of a 27% reduction in single car crashes and 68% reduction in single-vehicle 4WD crashes.
“ESC saves lives and, in a country where five people die each day on the roads, all governments should support this technology which will save Australians from crashes, serious injury and death.” Mr McIntosh said.
Our allies in the U.S. suffer from a high number of SUV accidents, preventable by ESC, as a result the U.S. government has introduced new laws to mandate a progressive introduction of ESC from September 2008.
In Australia the Holden Commodore, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Camry and Toyota Aurion all come standard with ESC (as well as the majority of European cars). Some notable exceptions include the Mitsubishi 380 and the Toyota Corolla.
Check out what ESC can do for you. Click here.
Print it: 
*****PRIMO!*****
Recently downloaded a Swedish test between PickUpTrucks
The HiLux almost tipped over, while the Triton by Mitsu. fitted with ESC flew through the witches-hat without any issues.
The HiLux would have been the next MooseTest scandel like the A Class from Benz
Cheers
F-0
Ohh great, not *****PRIMO!***** again. F-O are you really Mark Holden in disguise? :D
Anyway this is good. In the 21st century these things should be standard.
Agreed – for what it would cost a manufacturer to fit the option as standard to all vehicles is worth it in terms of added safety passed on to customer.
It also filters down nicely over the life of vehicle so that, in time, used vehicles will all have this too. A good move I say.
It actually prevents lots of two-car crashes as well, such as when an out of control car hits an oncoming car in the opposing lane. Should be compulsory.
Saves lives – should be mandatory.
Pity there is not yet a standard international naming convention. Depending on manufacturer – take your pick
ESP Electronic Stabilisation Program
ESP Vehicle Dynamic Control
VDC Electronic Stability Control
ESC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC Vehicle Stability Control
VSC Vehicle Stability/Swerve Control
ASC Active Stability Control
As long as it is switchable, default to ON every time the engine is started, then I am fine with it.
Wheels has also announced that from 2010 no car can win their COTY without it.
Sounds good to me, only question is why wait till 2010 – none of the COTYs this year should be without it.
I agree it is a good emergency device!! but things like
subarus all wheel drive system are better because they are
an avoidence safety feature and help stop the car from loosing control in the first place, rather than try fix it
after car has started to loose control..OF course having
both like most subarus now is the best answer…