Electronics boost safety: campaign
Opponents argue in favour of better driving
The RAC Foundation said recently that road crashes could be reduced by more than 20 per cent, especially in wet or icy conditions, by if all cars were fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
So the FIA has initiated a Europe-wide campaign. The ‘Choose ESC!’ campaign will be launched at the Bridgestone European Testing ground near Rome on 8 May 2007. The campaign, lead by the FIA Foundation, under the patronage of European Commissioner Viviane Reding and FIA President Max Mosley, aims to raise awareness of ESC and increase the take-up of the technology.
The Rome launch will feature the release by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) of an EU wide ESC availability survey. The event will also include live demonstrations comparing the performance of a car with and without the system engaged.
ESC should feature high on the shopping list of priorities when choosing a new car, according to the RAC Foundation. While the Euro NCAP testing results have traditionally concentrated on highlighting to consumers the cars which offer the greatest protection in an accident – the Foundation said it wants to alert drivers to developments in technology which can help to prevent a collision.
The Foundation said that it recommends that motorists ensure their next car is fitted with a stability control system. Available from most manufacturers, these systems reduce the chances of being involved in an accident by helping drivers to maintain vehicle control. If a driver has misjudged a corner or suddenly swerves to avoid an obstacle, stability control can help avoid a skid and can turn an accident into a near miss.
Stability control evolved from other technologies such as traction control and anti-lock brakes. This technology, along with some additional sensors, feeds information to a computerised control unit. The signals are continuously monitored to determine whether or not the vehicle is losing control. If a deviation from the intended course is detected, the control unit applies a small amount of braking to whichever wheel is needed to help stabilise the course of the vehicle. Some systems also adjust the power output of the engine to help further.
This is all done by the control unit which reacts faster than even the best driver could manage. Some drivers won't know that the system has intervened.
According to the Foundation, studies have shown that cars fitted with Stability Control are less involved in certain types of accidents than those without. In Sweden, an overall reduction of 22 per cent has been detected, rising to 32 per cent in wet conditions, and a study in Japan has suggested a decrease in accident involvement of some 30 to 35 per cent. Studies in the USA and Germany have shown similar results, said the organisation.
Others however argue that such systems reduce the need for drivers to improve their driving skills, and that the ability to concentrate and react to skids should be encouraged.
Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation, said: "The safest car on the road is the one which does not get involved in accidents. 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. That is why advice is being extended to cover developments in technology, such as ESC, which will help protect drivers and their passengers."
Mosley said: "There is no doubt that ESC could contribute significantly to the European Union’s goal to halve the number of road traffic fatalities by 2010. But to achieve this, much more needs to be done to inform the consumer about why they must choose ESC when buying a new car."
Reding said: "The European Commission fully supports the ‘Choose ESC!’ Campaign as we want to reach the consumers with this campaign. I believe more and more drivers will make the intelligent choice and choose ESC, making the roads in Europe safer for everyone."
The FIA should get some ESC fitted themselves to keep them in a straight a line, so they don't slip into territory with which they have nothing to do with.
Why not teach learners a bit of physics, such as, when entering a curve too tightly on an unknown road it could see them exiting that same curve on the wrong side of the road, or should they enter that same unknown curve too fast and lift off the throttle in panic could see them leaving the road in a spin!
wouldnt it be great if the people who need ESC/DSC/PSM the most could be educated to rely on them less?
I'm all for improving passive and active safety systems for cars but the only reason they are needed is that people aren't driving properly in the first place.
What FIA have to do with it is beyond me though.
My problem is that I've spent 30 years training myself NOT to brake and swerve at the same time and to make gentle control inputs on slippery surfaces. With ESC, however, the best technique seems to be to stand on the middle pedal while yanking the wheel violently. The electronics then sort it all out. Come an emergency, I'm not sure I'm going to find that easy to do! I think I need a disused airfield to practice.
I prefer not to get in the situation in the first place. You can only really make the roads safer with a combination of driving skills to prevent the incidents then the ESP for when the shit hits the fan.
Personally I prefer a car with no aids but then I like driving, and when I make a mistake I know exactly what to blame - me
I take a great interest in how cars handle so i know what to expect when I find myself in different situations. Snow and RWD...no problem!
My problem is that I've spent 30 years training myself NOT to brake and swerve at the same time and to make gentle control inputs on slippery surfaces. With ESC, however, the best technique seems to be to stand on the middle pedal while yanking the wheel violently. The electronics then sort it all out. Come an emergency, I'm not sure I'm going to find that easy to do! I think I need a disused airfield to practice.
Yep, counter-intuitive.
I want car to do X, but electronics might want to do Y.
I input and get unexpected output.
Dave
I want car to do X, but electronics might want to do Y.
If it works well, that's not what it should do, it'd be more like:
I want car to do X, but it seems to be doing Y.
Electronics react very fast to make the changes necessary to make the car do X.
To most people, understeer is an unexpected input/output scenario, which ESC may well help the car to deal with (I don't know the specifics of what it's capable of), even if the driver doesn't know what to do.
Here come the usual Luddite arguments.
While your point may be true for a minority, as most of the driving public don't even understand what ABS is there is little danger that they will reduce their safety margins because when they start the car there's a little PSM/ASC/ESP etc light.
On the same basis you'd also ban ABS, modern radial tyres, mapped efi, active suspension systems and 'Weissach' type rear suspension - 'real' drivers don't need that stuff, right?
Ask youself what systems you'd want looking after Mrs FB and the FB-ettes when they're in a car.
SS7
SS7
Here come the usual Luddite arguments.
While your point may be true for a minority, as most of the driving public don't even understand what ABS is there is little danger that they will reduce their safety margins because when they start the car there's a little PSM/ASC/ESP etc light.
On the same basis you'd also ban ABS, modern radial tyres, mapped efi, active suspension systems and 'Weissach' type rear suspension - 'real' drivers don't need that stuff, right?
Ask youself what systems you'd want looking after Mrs FB and the FB-ettes when they're in a car.
SS7
SS7
Well said. Most of the above seem to be from those who don't understand what VSC/ESP is.
Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff