ESC is short for Electronic Stability Control. It is new computer assisted safety technology that helps drivers stay in control and avoid crashes during emergency manoeuvres such as swerving or skidding. ESC also assists in correcting understeering and oversteering on bends.
ESC is activated automatically when it senses loss of control which may potentially lead to a crash. It works by briefly applying the brakes to one or more wheels in an attempt to bring the vehicle back under the driver’s control. It is particularly effective in preventing single vehicle crashes including rollovers, off-curve crashes and collisions into other objects.
Research conducted in the USA has shown that ESC could reduce the risk of single vehicle crashes by about 40 per cent and up to 67 per cent for 4WD and sports utility vehicles.
To be effective a vehicle must be driven at a speed which is suitable for the conditions. For example on wet or gravel roads tyre traction is less than on dry roads and the vehicle’s speed should be reduced accordingly. ESC cannot change the laws of physics and a driver can still lose control if a vehicle is driven unsafely.
Vehicle manufacturers use different names for ESC such as: Electronic Stability Program, Dynamic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Control and Vehicle Stability Assist.
When you are buying a vehicle buy one with ESC as standard feature if possible. Where ESC is an optional feature, make sure you add this option. If the vehicle does not have ESC as a standard or as an option, consider buying another vehicle.
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