 Electronic Stability Program Saves Lives - Lots of Them |
A new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released the results of a study that show use of stability control technology (called Electronic Stability Program [ESP] by DaimlerChrysler and a number of other auto manufacturers) reduces accident fatalities by as much as 43%. From CNN.com:
About 34,000 people are killed in auto crashes in the United States each year.
A comparison of rates of fatal crashes for vehicles that were identical except for the inclusion of electronic stability control, the Institute said, reveals that the vehicles with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) were 43 percent less likely to be involved in a fatal crash.
If all vehicles were equipped with the technology, instead of the current 25 percent, the Institute estimates that as many as 10,000 fatal accidents could be prevented each year.
The study bolsters earlier research by the Institute, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and others supporting the effectiveness of ESC.
ESC relies on two other underlying technologies: anti-lock brakes and electronic traction control. Anti-lock brakes use sensors to detect when a car's wheels are about to lose traction under hard braking. The system then pumps the brakes at an extremely rapid rate, allowing the wheels to regain traction so that the car stays in control and can be steered effectively.
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| erik | Posted: 2006/6/16 6:49 Updated: 2006/6/16 6:49 |
Not too shy to talk   Joined: 2005/12/28 From: Williamsport, PA Posts: 37 |
 Re: Electronic Stability Program Saves Lives - Lots of ThemPutting the Wrangler issue aside, ESP is proof that technology can solve problems that all the legislators cannot.
ESP ensures the survival of the SUV. Otherwise, we may have seen legislation taking them off the streets because they are "killing machines". Once again, the greenie weenies offer no solutions to a very minor problem that nobody cares about even though those same greenie weenies would like to ban all SUV's. |
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| MarkH | Posted: 2006/6/14 9:04 Updated: 2006/6/14 9:04 |
Home away from home  Joined: 2005/7/20 From: The Great White North Posts: 406 |
Re: Electronic Stability Program Saves Lives - Lots of Them Figures lie and liars figure... I haven't read that study, but there are a lot of underlying factors that could play in to that seemingly inflated figure (e.g., comparing newer cars that have the features versus older cars that don't --and may be less stable for many other reasons, drivers who purchase cars with a lot of optional safety features may tend to drive slower anyway, yadda yadda yadda...) Anyway, those figures seem very high...
 Please, oh, please keep most of that electronic gadgetry off the Wrangler! I can't even believe they're putting electric windows in it!?  Well, it's looking more & more like I'll have to just have to go old school and pay top dollar for a pristine CJ-7 from Collins Bros... Who's with me?  |
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