The EU has announced that ESP is now mandatory on passenger cars and light commercial vehicles sold on the continent. According to a report, so far this year, 84% of all new cars sold in Europe were equipped with ESP. Since its introduction, the ESP has prevented 190.000 accidents and saved more than 6.000 lives in Europe.
As you imagine, the rule is applicable only for the cars with a gross weight of up to 3.5 tons, but in the coming years it will be extended.
"ESP saves lives", said Gerhard Steiger, president of the Bosch Chassis Systems Control division. According to an internal study, in 2011, the technology managed to prevent more than 33.000 accidents and saved more than 1.000 lives.
In United States and Canada, the system in mandatory since September 2011 for all cars with a gross weight of up to 4.5 tons. More than that, ESP is also mandatory in Australia, Israel with Japan, South Korean, Turkey and Russia with an upcoming rule.
