ENCAP calls for ESP

THE Euro NCAP crash-test organisation has urged motorists to purchase cars fitted with stability control, citing research showing that cars with the electronic handling device are less involved in certain accidents than those without.

In Sweden, for example, an overall reduction of 22 per cent has been detected, rising to 32 per cent in wet conditions.

In Japan, a study has suggested a decrease in accident involvement of 30-35 per cent.

American and German studies have shown similar positive results, according to Euro NCAP chairman and former head of the Monash University Accident Research Centre, Professor Claes Tingvall.

"Driving carefully and attentively is perhaps the best way to reduce the chances of being in a crash but technology can play an important role, too," he said.

General Motors and Ford issued press releases last December announcing that, between them, a combined 1.8 million vehicles would be offered with electronic stability systems as standard equipment in 2005.

GM said the vehicles include the Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche and TrailBlazer GMC Envoy Hummer H3 Saab 9-7X, and Buick Rainier. The Hummer H2 will get the system in 2006. The Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon Denali already feature standard stability control.