Don’t Rock the Car Baby…Don’t Tip it Over

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) has been dubbed the most important auto safety innovation since the seatbelt. By the year 2012, it will be mandatory in all new model cars sold in Canada .

Where did ESC originate? ESC was originally conceived by Mercedes-Benz in 1959. The company reports that by 1998, the number of driver-related crashes took a dive with a 21 percent reduction and by 2002 that figure reached 42 percent.

What does ESC do? As an extension of antilock brakes technology, ESC helps drivers retain control of their vehicles during high-speed manoeuvres or on slippery roads. ESC uses sensors that continuously monitor the vehicle’s response to what the steering wheel is asking it to do. When there is a loss of traction (skidding) or the vehicle is not staying on the intended path of travel, ESC kicks in. ESC brakes individual wheels to help keep the vehicle under control. For example, if a vehicle enters a curve in the road too fast, ESC will help the driver regain control with automatic braking and in some cases with reducing speed as well.

How does ESC help keep me safe? ESC reacts much faster than humans, applying the brake in 1/25^th of a second, even if the driver’s foot is still on the gas pedal. It often corrects skids without the driver even being aware that passive, safety-braking adjustments are taking place.

Although ESC can’t override the laws of physics, it is profoundly effective in preventing rollovers which account for 28 percent of road fatalities. ESC helps ensure that the vehicle remains in control by maintaining forward direction, thus preventing a vehicle from going off onto the shoulder of the road or the curb. This can reduce the often fatal outcome of vehicle rollover. Furthermore, when a vehicle does a sharp veering action (such as swerving to avoid hitting wildlife) or when a vehicle loses control on challenging road surfaces (such as loose gravel, ice, wet conditions), ESC helps keep drivers in control.

ESC: Crash avoidance technology… ask for it on your next vehicle.

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		Don’t Rock the Car Baby…Don’t Tip it Over Electronic Stability Control (ESC) has been dubbed the most important auto safety innovation since the seatbelt. By the year 2012, it will be mandatory in all new model cars sold in Canada . Where did ESC originate? ESC was originally conceived by Mercedes-Benz in 1959. The company reports that by 1998, the number of driver-related crashes took a dive with a 21 percent reduction and by 2002 that figure reached 42 percent. What does ESC do? As an extension of antilock brakes technology, ESC helps drivers retain control of their vehicles during high-speed manoeuvres or on slippery roads. ESC uses sensors that continuously monitor the vehicle’s response to what the steering wheel is asking it to do. When there is a loss of traction (skidding) or the vehicle is not staying on the intended path of travel, ESC kicks in. ESC brakes individual wheels to help keep the vehicle under control. For example, if a vehicle enters a curve in the road too fast, ESC will help the driver regain control with automatic braking and in some cases with reducing speed as well. How does ESC help keep me safe? ESC reacts much faster than humans, applying the brake in 1/25^th of a second, even if the driver’s foot is still on the gas pedal. It often corrects skids without the driver even being aware that passive, safety-braking adjustments are taking place. Although ESC can’t override the laws of physics, it is profoundly effective in preventing rollovers which account for 28 percent of road fatalities. ESC helps ensure that the vehicle remains in control by maintaining forward direction, thus preventing a vehicle from going off onto the shoulder of the road or the curb. This can reduce the often fatal outcome of vehicle rollover. Furthermore, when a vehicle does a sharp veering action (such as swerving to avoid hitting wildlife) or when a vehicle loses control on challenging road surfaces (such as loose gravel, ice, wet conditions), ESC helps keep drivers in control. ESC: Crash avoidance technology… ask for it on your next vehicle. Return to top of page			Safety Canada (April 2008)