Thousands of lives could be saved with new ESC technology

Some 4,000 road traffic deaths and 100,000 injuries could be avoided if all cars in Europe were equipped with Electronic Stability Control.

Studies show that at least 40 per cent of all fatal traffic accidents are caused by skidding and around 80 per cent of all skidding accidents could be prevented with ESC. However, less than half of all new cars are currently fitted with the technology across the EU.

Internal Market and Consumer Protection Spokesman Malcolm Harbour MEP, who has led a number of projects in car safety, 'experienced' car crashes both with and without the technology in an ESC simulator at the European Parliament in Strasbourg today.

Hosting meetings to highlight the work of the ChooseESC! campaign launched last year, he discussed the next steps to promote the technology with campaign patron and President of the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) Max Mosley.

Mr Harbour said:

"Increasing the number of cars with ESC will make a major contribution towards the EU target of cutting road deaths by half by 2010. The simulated car crashes make it very clear how many accidents could be avoided if drivers have the benefit this safety technology.

"We will now be pressing the Commission for early action to agree a global standard for ESC with a view to making it mandatory in Europe as soon as possible.

"At this time of year many motorists are driving in poor conditions; on wet or icy roads where they might have to make emergency manoeuvres. Severe weather warnings have been issued for the UK over the next couple of days with gales, heavy rain and the risk of flooding in some areas. In bad conditions, technology like ESC could make all the difference and save lives."

Source - Conservatives in the European Parliament

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