NCAP urges car-makers to include stability control

The car-safety organization Euro NCAP has slammed manufacturers for not including Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard on new cars.

The UK is near the bottom of a Europe-wide survey, released today to promote a the new ‘Choose ESC’ Campaign, led by eSafetyAware! and under the patronage of the European Commission.

Euro NCAP says that studies indicate that cars fitted with ESP are less likely to be involved in accidents, and ESP could prevent around one car occupant death in five.

Electronic Stability Control applies braking to individual tyres when it recognizes a skid developing, helping the driver maintain control of the vehicle.

Euro NCAP’s Secretary General Adrian Hobbs said ‘We must all do what we can to raise awareness of ESC’s importance. Car manufacturers respond to the demands of customers but customers will only demand ESC when they become aware of the benefits.

“The media and organisations such as fleet buyers can play a pivotal role in increasing this awareness and in helping to bring pressure to bear on manufacturers and distributors to fit ESC as standard on all new cars, in all countries.”

Meanwhile NCAP will introduce new logos for its adult occupant, child occupant and pedestrian safety ratings. NCAP says it has introduced the new logos to communicate the need for manufactures to improve their pedestrian safety provision.