| With the possibility of reducing accidents with
bodily injury by up to 50%, the Electronic Stability Programme
can be considered a guardian angel for drivers. Chris Wakly
reports |
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| “ESP is only of limited help
to those who drive irresponsibly fast since even the best
of systems cannot overcome the laws of physics” |
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Imagine the following common driving scenario: it’s night
time, and you are driving home, lost in thought. Suddenly, you see
a car a short distance ahead stopped at the roadside with a punctured
tyre – and it happens to be right on a bend.
Danger signals flash in your head – you are travelling too
fast. Your first thought is to hit the brakes and your mind is whirling
through everything you have ever learned about driving. Hold on
to the steering wheel, back off the accelerator – or what
was the right thing to do? You break out in a cold sweat, the car
starts to skid and the ditch next to the bend is coming closer.
But then, as if by magic, the speed is controlled, the car makes
a small swerve and then regains its stability. It is back on track.
You cautiously drive on with trembling knees. That was close . .
.
What happened? Just that your personal automotive guardian angel,
the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) went into action and prevented
an accident. These “active” guardian angels could reduce
accidents with bodily injury by up to 50%, so it is worth having
a closer look at these automotive protectors. ESP was developed
and brought into series production by Bosch as early as 1995. Even
though one out of two new cars in Germany is equipped with this
system nowadays, only a small number of drivers are familiar with
the workings of ESP.
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| “ESP decisively contributes
to the prevention of severe accidents” |
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It works in several steps. When a car goes into a skid, the first
step is to reduce the speed. If this is not sufficient, the system
brakes down each wheel separately, so the car remains on track.
The skidding danger and breaking away when stopping is thus dramatically
reduced. However, it is only of limited help to those who drive
irresponsibly fast, since even the best of systems cannot overcome
the laws of physics. A study conducted by the association of the
German insurance industry (GDV) proves the additional safety provided
by ESP. It confirms that 25% of all accidents with bodily injuries
and 60% of all fatal accidents are due to skidding.
Other studies by the automotive manufacturers DaimlerChrysler and
Toyota came up with similar results: if all cars were equipped with
ESP, about half of all extremely serious accidents could be prevented
extremely serious accidents could be prevented. The automotive guardian
angel ESP comes from a large family. Some members are generally known,
such as the antilock braking system ABS or the traction control system
TCS.
Indeed, according to EU regulations, all new passenger cars are
being equipped at least with ABS as of mid-2004. But new functions
have been added to ESP that are still relatively unknown, but very
promising. For example, the function “Hill Hold Control”
prevents unintended backward rolling when starting uphill. One fact
should not be overlooked: retrofitting of these systems is not possible.
So, next time when you are considering buying a new car, it is important
to look out for the standard equipment with safety systems and what
systems can be optionally added in a meaningful way.
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Keeping in control
Researchers from the University of Iowa in the US have tested
the reaction of drivers in critical situations by means of
a driving simulator. The result could not be clearer: 34%
more drivers stayed in control of their vehicle with ESP than
without it. It is further proof of the dramatically positive
effect ESP has on driving safety. The University of Iowa conducted
the study on behalf of the Electronic Stability Control Coalition.
The US subsidiary of the Bosch group is a major partner in
this association, which is dedicated to informing the American
public about the benefits of the Electronic Stability Programme.
The scientists used the official driving simulator of the
US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Agency (NHTSA)
for their tests. The test persons drove two different computer-simulated
vehicles equipped with an ESP system and the same vehicles
with the system off. They had to cope with three typical critical
situations: incursion, curve departure and wind gust. Results
show that vehicles equipped with ESP provide a significant
safety benefit by helping drivers maintain control.
“ESP is a proven active safety technology that can
help the driver maintain control of the vehicle,” explains
Wolfgang Drees, member of the Board of Management of Robert
Bosch GmbH and in charge of the Chassis Systems Division within
the Automotive Technology Business Sector. “The results
of this study reflect similar data from international observational
studies that ESP indeed decisively contributes to the prevention
of severe accidents.”
In fact, studies commissioned by DaimlerChrysler and Toyota
are also coming to the conclusion that the standard equipment
of cars with ESP has the potential of reducing the number
of highly dangerous single car accidents by up to 50%.
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