Electronic Stability Control or ESC Helps Avoid Car Accidents
There is one system that helps drivers avoid car accidents by reducing the danger of losing control or skidding as a result of over-steering and that is Electronic Stability Control or ESC. ESC becomes active when a driver loses control of their car before a serious car accident injury may occur. It uses a system that's computer controlled to apply individual brakes. This helps to bring the car safely back on track all without the danger of ever fish-tailing.
The integral parts of an Electronic Stability Control system are ABS and Traction control. While every car with ESC has ABS and Traction Control, however those with ABS and Traction control may not necessarily have ESC. Sounds confusing doesn't it? A simple way to look at it is this: ABS and Traction Control only work in the driving (or forward) direction. The ESC system can also help drivers to deal with sideways movements which can create instability for the car. However, unlike ABS and Traction Control, ESC is a system that is holistic in nature which means that it can control a car’s whole movements.
What's The Reason That I Might Need ESC?
There is no other active safety device available today which has such potential to reduce single car accidents.
So How Does ESC Work?
The system works by using a number of sensors that identify any loss of control. Then it automatically applies the brakes to the relevant wheel, and this will put your car back on the intended direction.
ESC assists the driver in:
Off course, the degree in which ESC is effective, depends upon the amount of traction there is between the road and the tyres of the car. So, on a car with old, worn or inappropriately fitted tyres ( for example non winter tyres on ice and snow), the ESC system will be less effective than on a vehicle with new tyres or tyres which are specific to a specific road condition.
This ESC technology is being adopted very quickly by Australian car manufacturers and car importers. This is particularly the case as Victoria has put into place a mandate that all new cars registered from January 2011 onwards, must be fitted with the ESC system. In Victoria, this mandate came into force nearly a whole year ahead of the rest of the country and ahead also of America and Europe. the fitting of ESC has grown exponentially since 2004. The rate of fitting this system increased from about 12% in 2004 to 76% in early 2011. However, we are still behind the rate of countries like Sweden where their fitting rate is around 96%. With all of this in mind, be sure to look for models with ESC before you choose your next family car. By chosing a vehicle that has ESC fitted, you just might avoid ever needing the services of any car accident lawyers.
*Scully, J., & Newstead, S. (2007) Preliminary evaluation of electronic stability control effectiveness in Australasia. Monash University Accident Research Centre, Report No. 271
The integral parts of an Electronic Stability Control system are ABS and Traction control. While every car with ESC has ABS and Traction Control, however those with ABS and Traction control may not necessarily have ESC. Sounds confusing doesn't it? A simple way to look at it is this: ABS and Traction Control only work in the driving (or forward) direction. The ESC system can also help drivers to deal with sideways movements which can create instability for the car. However, unlike ABS and Traction Control, ESC is a system that is holistic in nature which means that it can control a car’s whole movements.
What's The Reason That I Might Need ESC?
- Research done in Australian shows that ESC can reduce the risks of:
- Single 4WD crashes by 51%
- Single car crashes by 25%
- Singular 4WD crashes in which the driver was injured by 66%*
- Singular car crashes in which the driver was injured by 28%
There is no other active safety device available today which has such potential to reduce single car accidents.
So How Does ESC Work?
The system works by using a number of sensors that identify any loss of control. Then it automatically applies the brakes to the relevant wheel, and this will put your car back on the intended direction.
ESC assists the driver in:
- On slippery or icy roads it improves traction
- Oversteering or understeering is corrected
- On road shoulders it can enhance handling on gravel patches and lastly
- Stabilize the car during any sudden evasive manoeuvres which might be needed
Off course, the degree in which ESC is effective, depends upon the amount of traction there is between the road and the tyres of the car. So, on a car with old, worn or inappropriately fitted tyres ( for example non winter tyres on ice and snow), the ESC system will be less effective than on a vehicle with new tyres or tyres which are specific to a specific road condition.
This ESC technology is being adopted very quickly by Australian car manufacturers and car importers. This is particularly the case as Victoria has put into place a mandate that all new cars registered from January 2011 onwards, must be fitted with the ESC system. In Victoria, this mandate came into force nearly a whole year ahead of the rest of the country and ahead also of America and Europe. the fitting of ESC has grown exponentially since 2004. The rate of fitting this system increased from about 12% in 2004 to 76% in early 2011. However, we are still behind the rate of countries like Sweden where their fitting rate is around 96%. With all of this in mind, be sure to look for models with ESC before you choose your next family car. By chosing a vehicle that has ESC fitted, you just might avoid ever needing the services of any car accident lawyers.
*Scully, J., & Newstead, S. (2007) Preliminary evaluation of electronic stability control effectiveness in Australasia. Monash University Accident Research Centre, Report No. 271