The ESP is a compulsory safety in Europe

Each day the cars on our road are safer. Manufacturers offer greater security equipment and thanks to regulations that will gradually harden, which do not provide certain security systems, which are generally cheaper ls cars are forced to do so. This is how they have arrived airbags, ABS or ESP to lower segments. And it is the last of these three elements, the stability control, which is now mandatory in all cars marketed in the European Union.

The ESP is a compulsory safety in Europe

Since last Saturday, November 1 all light commercial vehicles with less than 3,500 kilos weights must be manufactured with ESP as mandatory safety measure. This ensures that all new cars safer by incorporating this system to which many do not pay attention and in many cases is an option that is not chosen, the more attention to multimedia systems or aesthetic issues is provided.

How did the ESP?

The first system ESP (Electronic Stability Program) was developed by Bosch in 1978. Like now, this system is based on the operation of the ABS system but was still very rudimentary and the first car to equip the ESP, the Mercedes W140, did not come until 1995. From there the Mercedes own fu extending the system throughout its range, while other manufacturers began to equip it. It took some time most cars were to offer, especially the smaller ones, but today there are few cars that can not have, at least as an option.

ESP always tries to maintain the vehicle’s path, especially in sudden maneuvers, where the car can spin. According to information received from various sensors and processed by a control unit, the system will act on the brakes, slowing the wheel or wheels necessary to try to regain control of the situation.

Currently in member countries of the European Union 84% of cars registered equip the ESP, although globally the figure is considerably lower, at only 59%. It is estimated that if all vehicles equipasen these driving aids, could prevent up to 80% of accidents caused by skidding. It is estimated that since its inception the ESP has prevented more than 190,000 accidents, saving 6,000 lives.

The ESP is a compulsory safety in Europe