Industry News from Yes Insurance

Authorities in America are considering making the electronic stability programme (ESP) a mandatory requirement for all light cars.

The move from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Authority (NHTSA) is aimed at making roads safer in the US, and the UK may follow their lead.

ESP is a development of anti-lock breaking and traction control systems and corrects the difference between what the driver tells the car to do and its mechanical output. In simple terms, ESP reduces over or under steering.

The US plans to make the system mandatory, but it is already a regular feature in many new cars.

In 2005, 36 per cent of new cars in the UK were fitted with ESP and this number rises in Europe to 40 per cent.

The NHTSA says that ESP will substantially reduce crashes and car insurance claims on US roads, with estimates that as many as 10,300 lives could be saved in America alone every year.

It also predicts that 34 per cent of single-vehicle crashes, 71 per cent of rollovers and 252,000 crash-related injuries will be prevented.

ESP is being touted as the greatest life saving development since it became compulsory to wear a seatbelt while driving.

The NHTSA intends to phase-in the new requirements between 2009 and 2012.

© Adfero Ltd