Always wear a seat belt!

Euro NCAP Strategic Roadmap 2010-2015

Why do so few cars have curtain airbags as standard?

eg only a couple of Vauxhall Corsa (2006 on) have curtain airbags as an option or as standard. These versions don't even have it as an option!:-

• Expression
• Life
• Breeze
• Active
• Energy
• Breeze plus
• Active plus
• S
• Exclusiv
• SE
• Design in Touch
• Sxi in Touch
• SRi

Only some of the versions of these Corsa models have curtain or side airbags as standard eg:-

• Club 
• Sxi 
• Design

Search Autotrader for Vauxhall Corsa and 10766 cars are listed. Of these 153 are fitted with curtain airbags just 1.4%!

The Good News is that from 1st January 2010 face-lift most Vauxhall Corsa (SE, Exclusiv, SRi, SXi) models have curtain and side airbags as standard. The entry level S, Expression & Energy models can have curtain airbags fitted as a £425 Protection Pack option. (front seat side-impact airbags, full-size curtain airbags, Pyrotechnic front lap belt pretensioner system). 

Whiplash - how to fit head-restraints (not head-rests!)

It seems idiotic to me that so many older cars don't have rear head restraints fitted whilst the driver and passenger gets them! The wife insists we cannot afford to replace our 2004 Fiat Punto. So I'm going to have 2, possibly 3, rear head restraints fitted 'at a cost of several hundred pounds'. It will cost a bomb according to the local Fiat dealer! Why are rear seat passengers so prejudiced against with regard to their safety? How can our childrens necks and life be quantified?!

IIWPG Test Protocol v2.5 (PDF) - International standard to test seats and head-restraints. 

What is effectiveness of ESC?

Q: What kind of research do you have which shows the effectiveness of ESC? 

• UK based research has found that vehicles equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are 25% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those without it. 
• If every vehicle on the road were fitted with ESC, this would equate to approximately 380 fewer fatal accidents each year. 
• The research was conducted by the Vehicle Safety Research Centre (VSRC) at Loughborough University, for the UK Department for Transport.
• The study concluded that ESC was especially effective in helping to prevent crashes that involved a vehicle skidding or overturning, with the potential to reduce serious accidents like this by up to 59%. 
• As well as this, it concluded that ESC could offer additional benefits in adverse road conditions such as rain, ice and snow. 
• This latest study focuses on UK roads specifically and shows similar results to other important global studies on ESC effectiveness.
• Studies from various countries have already shown ESC to be very effective at reducing accidents. 

ESC, LDW, AEB technologies reduce car crashes

 The Research Council for Automobile Repairs (RCAR) is an international body of insurance funded automotive research centres, whose primary goal is to reduce the human and economic costs of motor vehicle losses.

The P-Safe Working Group within RCAR is an insurer focussed research/advisory group. The aim of the group is to investigate new Primary Safety technologies (hence “P-SAFE”) entering the vehicle market and investigate their potential positive or negative influence on motor insurance claims. Vehicle safety technology is categorised into three areas; Primary, Secondary and Tertiary safety.

Secondary Safety refers to systems designed to mitigate injuries during a collision, such as airbags and seat belts.

Primary safety systems relate to technologies that help to avoid or reduce the severity of the collision.

Tertiary safety systems operate post-collision, and alert the emergency services to potential injuries.

The P-Safe group has chosen to focus on three main types of primary safety technology initially. These three technologies are Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). ESC was selected because research has already shown that ESC is effective in reducing crashes. AEB and LDW were selected because these technologies could help address commonly occurring crash types.

Overall, the most common collision types seem to be rear-end collisions, pedestrian collisions, leaving the carriageway, collision at junctions and head-on collisions. In the development of Primary Safety Systems manufacturers should consider addressing these crash types. It appears that Autonomous Emergency Braking systems (AEB) would be the most appropriate to address these collisions types, particularly for rear-end, head-on and pedestrian collisions that are most common. LDW and ESC could also offer some benefit in reducing single car leaving carriageway crashes.

Estimates from the German Insurance Association for the current AEB on the market (giving a warning of an imminent collision and automatically applying brakes) show that collisions could be reduced by around 12%. They have taken this analysis a step further to consider a hypothetical system that is not yet on the market, which can additionally address collisions at junctions with vehicles, as well as pedestrians and cyclists approaching from the sides and driving in front. This hypothetical system could reduce collisions by 46%, and this type of analysis should be used by vehicle manufacturers to guide their development of primary safety technologies in the future to meet real world need.

Thatcham researchers have made estimates based on crash frequency in the UK to estimate the effect of fleet-wide fitment of City Safety, the Low Speed Avoidance technology from Volvo. These estimates reveal that for 351,000 crashes, where the driver does not brake, the system could therefore help to prevent or mitigate the crash, which will equate to around a €1.3 billion saving in repair costs. This will also prevent around 150,000 whiplash injuries.

IIHS identified the kinds of crashes that five primary safety technologies are intended to prevent or mitigate. Two systems, AEB and LDW, show more potential to avoid or mitigate crashes, including fatal ones. Of the nearly 2.3 million crashes that occurred annually during 2002-06 and might have been prevented by frontal collision avoidance systems, more than 7,000 involved occupant deaths. If this feature, assuming full fleet fitment on passenger vehicles, could prevent half of these crashes, the safety potential would be substantial.
Previous research by IIHS evaluated rumble strips, finding they reduce head-on crashes and oncoming side-swipes as well as run-off-the-road crashes by 25-30%. If lane departure warning works as well as rumble strips, more than 100,000 collisions per year and 2,500 deaths could be prevented when all vehicles have this feature.

More .. pg 4

ESC fitment as standard in Europe

Source: Thatcham, pg 3

PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system

In some Mercedes, fitted as standard is the PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system. If there is an immediate danger of an accident occurring, the system activates protective measures for the driver and front passenger as a precaution so that the seat belts and airbags can provide their full protective effect on impact. This warning of an impending accident is possible because PRE-SAFE® uses the sensors of the Brake Assist system and the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) to identify potentially critical dynamic handling situations.

More.. pg 8, Thatcham News.

THATCHAM IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANISATION
OUR VISION IS THAT GLOBALLY, VEHICLES ARE REPAIRED SAFELY, CRASH INJURIES ARE MINIMISED AND VEHICLE THEFT IS ERADICATED.

Asleep at the wheel - new technologies to help drivers stay awake

Thatcham say... 

"Driver fatigue and distraction are two major risk factors affecting road safety. Drowsiness affects the rational decision making process. This means that drivers themselves are particularly bad at deciding when they are too tired to drive. 

Research performed at the Loughborough University Sleep Research Centre, investigating driver drowsiness on selected UK motorway and trunk roads, found that one quarter of all crashes on these roads that subsequently caused death or serious injury were sleep related. They also reported that 17% of all road crashes resulting in injury or death were sleep related. 

The German Insurance Association, GDV, estimates that 25% of all fatal crashes on German Autobahns are caused by driver fatigue. 

Currently, at least one fatal sleep related crash occurs per day in the UK.

When driving, a host of potential in-vehicle and external distractions also vie for the driver’s attention; audio and navigation systems, climate control systems, mobile phone usage, eating and drinking, passengers and children, roads, signage, other road users, scenery, advertising etc.

A US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study monitoring the driving of 100 cars over a period of 13 months in the United States found that 78% of crashes and 65% of near crashes had some form of inattention or distraction as a contributory factor.

Modest alcohol intake (around half the UK legal driving limit, undetectable by police roadside breathalysers) exacerbates driving impairment due to sleepiness, an effect that is particularly evident in young men.

Studies by Volvo show up to 90% of all traffic accidents are caused by driver distraction and 20% of fatal road accidents are caused by driver fatigue.

To address this, Volvo developed Driver Alert Control which alerts tired and distracted drivers that their concentration level is affected. Similarly, Mercedes-Benz Attention Assist warns drivers when the onset of drowsiness is detected. Both systems alert the driver in a similar fashion when drowsiness is detected; an audible warning is given and a coffee cup symbol and a short message encouraging them to take a break from driving is shown on the dashboard display.

Mercedes- Benz identified steering behaviour as the key indicator of drowsiness. In driving simulator trials it was identified that drowsy drivers found it difficult to steer a precise course in their lane, and made minor steering errors that were often corrected quickly and abruptly. These effects occurred at a very early stage as drowsiness developed, often before the dangerous situation in which the driver falls asleep momentarily. Mercedes-Benz Attention Assist monitors the driver’s steering inputs along with numerous other vehicle parameters including speed, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, use of the turn indicators, pedals and certain control inputs, to determine an individual driver behaviour pattern during the first few minutes of every journey.The current steering behaviour and driving situation are then continuously referenced against this initial pattern to identify the typical factors indicating the floating transition from alertness to drowsiness. The system is active at speeds between 50 and 113mph (80 and 180kmh).

More...

Young drivers at risk in cars without ESC

source: Thatcham Research News, volume three, issue eight, August 2008


Young people drive poorly equipped cars

New and young drivers most commonly drive small cars that are cheaper to buy and to insure. Small cars are less safe because of their size.

Small cars are also less likely to have ESC fitted as standard, which is a vital safety feature. 

A first car is often second hand, which makes it even more difficult for young drivers to choose a car fitted with ESC. Yet these young drivers are most likely to be involved in the type of loss of control crashes where ESC could help to prevent the crash. It will take a long time for ESC to appear in the small used car market, yet these cars need it most to protect these young drivers who are most likely to be involved in the type of loss of control crashes where ESC could help to prevent the crash.

Thatcham’s fitment ratings show there are only 5 supermini models with ESC fitted as standard. These are the Mini Hatch, Mini Clubman, Peugeot 1007, Smart For Two, and the Suzuki Splash. From the 43 supermini models rated, these represent only 12% and only a very small choice for the buyer. Another problem is the expense of these models where ESC is fitted as standard. Most of them are priced in the range from £12,000. The cheapest is the Suzuki Splash, although this still costs £9,000 for the base model. The cheaper superminis don’t offer ESC as standard. In fact the Vauxhall Agila, which is the same car as the Suzuki Splash, only offers ESC as an option costing £425.

Young drivers are less likely to prioritise safety features, so do not have the money to buy ESC as an option if they are buying a new car. They often spend time and money on accessories and modifications to their cars including fitting stereos and speakers, wheels, spoilers etc. But since most young drivers can only afford a cheap second hand small car, it is unlikely to have ESC fitted, so they cannot benefit from the protection this safety feature offers.

ESC should be fitted as standard on all cars so that everyone can benefit, even our young and newly qualified drivers as they become proud owners of their first cheap run-around.

Electronic Stability Control Systems, 2006 Study

source:  A 2006 USA Study http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/Rulemaking/Rules/Associated%20Files/ESC_PRIA.pdf

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
This Preliminary Regulatory Impact Analysis examines the impact of the proposal to establish Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 126, Electronic Stability Control Systems (ESC). ESC has been found to be highly effective in preventing single-vehicle loss-of-control, run-off-the road crashes, of which a significant portion are rollover crashes. ESC has also been found to reduce some multi-vehicle crashes. Based on this analysis, the proposal is highly cost effective.

Proposed Requirements 

The proposal would require passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs), trucks, and buses that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,536 kg (10,000 pounds) or less to be equipped with an ESC system. We assume throughout this analysis that an ESC system combines two basic technologies: Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control. The proposal would require an ESC system to meet a definition, as well as meet the functional and performance requirements specified in FMVSS No. 126.

Benefits

page 5 - Benefits

Based upon our analysis, we estimate that the proposal would save 1,536 – 2,211 lives and reduce 50,594 – 69,630 MAIS 1-5 injuries annually once all passenger vehicles have ESC.



Global Studies of ESC Effectiveness - page III-17
Several studies from Europe and Japan concluded that ESC is highly effective in preventing crashes. In the U.S., the IIHS’s 2004 study also confirmed that ESC is effective. The following summarizes some results from these global studies:
• Germany: ESC would prevent 80 percent of skidding crashes (Volkswagen and Audi
ESP) and 35 percent of all vehicle fatalities (Rieger et al, 2005).13
• Sweden: ESC would prevent 16.7 percent of all injury crashes excluding rear-end and
21.6 percent of serious and fatal crashes (Lie et al, 2005).14
• Japan: ESC would prevent 35 percent of single-vehicle crashes and 50 percent of fatal
single-vehicle crashes. In addition, ESC would prevent 30 percent of head-on crashes
and 40 percent of fatal head-on crashes (Aga, 2003).15
• U.S., IIHS: ESC would prevent 41 percent of the single vehicle crashes and 56 percent of
the fatal single vehicle crashes (Farmer, 2004).16 The study also found a small but not
statistically significant reduction in multi-vehicle crashes.
• U.S., University of Michigan: ESC would reduce the odds of fatal single-SUV crashes by
50 percent and fatal single-PC crashes by 30 percent. Corresponding reductions for non-fatal single-vehicle crashes are 70 percent for SUVs and 55 percent for PCs (UMTRI, 2006).17

Note that the summary serves only as a reference in assessing ESC global effects. It is not meant
to be comprehensive. Interested parties can consult Bosch’s 2005 review18 (Bosch, 2005, 10 Years of ESP® from Bosch: More Driving Safety with the Electronic Stability Program, http://www.bosch-presse.de/TBWebDB/en-US/index.cfm, February 2005.) for a more complete list of studies on ESC effectiveness.

A study for the UK Department on UK roads cars fitted with ESC are 25% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those without ESC

source: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/publicity/news-releases/2007/83_esc.html

Loughborough University research shows ESC technology could cut UK road deaths by up to a quarter.

New research by Loughborough University has found vehicles equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are 25 percent less likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those without it. If every vehicle on the road were fitted with ESC, this would equate to approximately 380 fewer fatal accidents each year.

Commissioned by the Department for Transport (DfT), the research was carried out by the University’s Vehicle Safety Research Centre. It found that ESC was especially effective in helping to prevent crashes that involved a vehicle skidding or overturning, with the potential to reduce serious accidents like this by up to 59 percent.


2. A summary of the results is given below:

Accident severity reduction in non-VRU accidents if ESC is fitted*

	(%)	(n)
Fatal	25	383
Serious	11	1,102
Slight	6	6,315
All	7	7,800

3. This shows that ESC equipped vehicles are involved in 25 percent fewer fatal road accidents where a VRU was not involved, which equates to a theoretical maximum reduction of 383 fatal accidents, based on 2005 accident figures (relating this to the total number of accidents in 2005 would result in a 16 percent reduction).

4. These figures represent the reductions expected with 100 percent fitment compared to no fitment. However, around 10 percent of vehicles are already equipped and it would take many years to achieve close to 100 percent fitment even if ESC was to be mandated. Nonetheless, for each person who drives an ESC equipped vehicle, their risk of being involved in a fatal accident is reduced by 25 percent, which should be an incentive for vehicle purchasers.

Frequently Asked Questions - ESC

Q: What does Thatcham's research show?
A: Thatcham, on behalf of the UK insurers, is presenting research (Thatcham News 2009, Vol 4, Issue 6) published by the Department for Transport showing that vehicles equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are 25% less likely to be involved in fatal accidents.

This is a key summary of research.


In the UK, there is still very slow progress with increasing standard fitment of ESC, a life saving technology. Thatcham began to produce fitment ratings for ESC in 2006, and then found that only 40% of UK models were being sold with ESC fitted as standard. Now, after almost four years, this figure has gradually increased to 63%. 


ESC has recently been made a regulatory requirement globally. All brand new models sold must be fitted with ESC as standard from 2012, and all cars including facelifts and updates by 2014. Given the impending regulatory requirements, there is clearly a large gap in the standard fitments that must be filled in only a few years.


Legislation In the US: there is a regulation (FMVSS 126 142 page pdf) that requires ESC to be mandatory on all cars by 2012. This regulation has been proposed as a GTR (Global Technical Regulation), so in Europe all cars will have compulsory ESC by 2014.

In addition, new research from Thatcham reveals that only 63% of new cars sold in the UK have ESC fitted as standard. Whilst progress on standard fitment has been made, with a rise of 23% over 2006 figures, this level of fitment remains disappointing, since approximately 380 lives could be saved if the UK motorist had the same fitment levels as those in Scandinavia. source: Loughborough University 2007

Q: What is ESC all about?
A: ESC is simply three letters to save your life. Electronic Stability Control is often known by names such as ESP, DSC, VSC, or ASTC, for example. ESC doesn't just help in a crash, ESC avoids the crash in the first place.
Q: How does ESC work?
A: ESC works in situations where your vehicle may lose control and skid violently. This might result in your vehicle leaving the road or pointing the wrong way on the motorway for example. ESC works by selectively braking individual wheels automatically without the driver's intervention and stops the vehicle from spinning in the first place.
Q: Are there any circumstances, road conditions or speeds when ESC may not be effective?
A: At very low speed when starting in snow and ice.
Q: What kind of research do you have which shows the effectiveness of ESC?
A: UK based research has found that vehicles equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are 25% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those without it. If every vehicle on the road were fitted with ESC, this would equate to approximately 380 fewer fatal accidents each year. The research was conducted by the Vehicle Safety Research Centre (VSRC) at Loughborough University, for the UK Department for Transport.

The study concluded that ESC was especially effective in helping to prevent crashes that involved a vehicle skidding or overturning, with the potential to reduce serious accidents like this by up to 59%. As well as this, it concluded that ESC could offer additional benefits in adverse road conditions such as rain, ice and snow. Studies from various countries have already shown it to be very effective at reducing accidents. This latest study, however, focuses on UK roads specifically and shows similar results to other important global studies on ESC effectiveness.
Q: How does Thatcham's ESC rating system work?
A: Thatcham's fitment rating information shows where ESC is available on the current UK new vehicle fleet, either as an option or as standard equipment.
Q: What does Thatcham want manufacturers to do?
A: Thatcham wants vehicle manufacturers to make ESC standard on all their vehicles because we believe that you shouldn't have to pay for safety. In Germany, 72% of new vehicle models have ESC fitted as standard and in Sweden 94%. However, in the UK just over half have ESC as standard. If we in the UK had Swedish levels of ESC fitment, we could save 380 lives annually. We think with some consumer pressure, ESC could become as widespread as ABS and airbags.
Q: What should the public do?
A: People who are buying a new car should go to www.thatcham.org and check the availability of ESC. The web site lists where it is standard, optional or not available at all. Thatcham would urge people to buy a car with ESC and where it is optional, people should pay for this option before considering other expensive upgrades, which are desirable but will not save their lives.
Q: What is the average cost to the consumer of ESC as an option?
A: Typical option costs are around £432. But manufacturers often lump ESC in with other expensive options, so you may be forced to pay a lot more.
Q: If a motorist has ESC fitted, will it reduce their insurance costs?
A: At the moment it will not, but in time insurers may consider the fitment of ESC to be a factor. Ultimately, this is a decision for insurers.
Q: Can ESC be retrofitted?
A: No, ESC cannot be retrofitted. ESC can only be fitted during production in the factory, so can only be specified on new cars.

ESC may be fitted as standard in 2009 but NOT available on the same model in 2008

When buying second hand use the drop down list of models and years here to check whether car has ESC.

How Does ESC Work?

Watch the 2 videos of ESC use / not used in a dangerous avoidance scenario (1 minute)


The ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system is controlled by an on-board computer that detects when the car is not taking the path that the driver intended, for example during oversteer and understeer. On board sensors measure the speed, steering wheel angle, direction of travel and lateral acceleration of the vehicle. If the calculated path of travel is different to that dictated by the steering wheel position, the stability control computer will make a correction. The brakes on individual wheels are automatically applied, just enough to correct this deviation but not enough to alert the driver. The computer decides which brakes to apply to make the most effective combination, all independent of the driver. In some cases, the stability control program may also reduce the engine power. When the ESC system is intervening a warning light on the dashboard — normally orange in colour, will illuminate momentarily. It will not stay on permanently.

The majority of cars are fitted with an ESC switch, which can be used to switch the ESC off when certain unusual road conditions are encountered - like moving off in deep snow. ESC is by default switched ON when you start your vehicle, so it does not require switching on. ESC is a major safety feature and could save your life. Do not touch your ESC button, unless those specific conditions are encountered. For further information, please consult your vehicle handbook.

All cars pass Thatcham’s new dynamic ESC test but only 63% of cars have ESC fitted as standard

Thatcham.org say....

ESC (Electronic Stability Control)

• ESC can help prevent you from losing control of your car or skidding during high speed manoeuvres or on slippery surfaces.
• ESC can reduce your risk of involvement in a life threatening crash by up to 25%
• ESC is fitted as standard on only 63% of new cars on sale in the UK today
• ESC costs on average £432 to fit as an option, but the cost of the components is well under £100, so why don't all vehicle manufacturers fit it as standard?

Electronic Stability Control

All cars pass Thatcham’s new dynamic ESC test

All the new cars tested to date have passed this demanding ESC dynamic test. This shows that for these cars which are sold as having ESC systems fitted, they also have the functionality to operate and maintain control of the car in this severe manoeuvre.

ESC technology could cut road deaths by up to a quarter

Thatcham.org say...

What are the benefits of ESC?

ESC technology could cut road deaths by up to a quarter
UK based research has found that vehicles equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are 25% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those without it. If every vehicle on the road were fitted with ESC, this would equate to approximately 380 fewer fatal accidents each year. The research was conducted by the Vehicle Safety Research Centre (VSRC) at Loughborough University, for the UK Department for Transport.

The study concluded that ESC was especially effective in helping to prevent crashes that involved a vehicle skidding or overturning, with the potential to reduce serious accidents like this by up to 59%. As well as this, it concluded that ESC could offer additional benefits in adverse road conditions such as rain, ice and snow. Studies from various countries have already shown it to be very effective at reducing accidents. This latest study, however, focuses on UK roads specifically and shows similar results to other important global studies on ESC effectiveness.

Oversteer
If you swerve to avoid an obstacle, oversteer can occur making the vehicle turn more than intended, ultimately spinning. The rear of the car might skid out and turn the car in the same direction as the intended steered direction, but at a faster rate and not under the control of the driver. ESC can prevent this by braking individual wheels to maintain control.

Understeer
If you are driving too fast into a corner, understeer can occur. This would result in a loss of steering control as your car continues to follow a straight path. ESC can help retain steering control and allow the car to travel in the desired direction.

What are Adaptive Headlights?

source: esafetychallenge

Adaptive Headlights Systems, equipped with advanced light sources like Xenon or LED, offer an optimized illumination of the road during night time drives.

The system continuously adjusts the beam pattern so that the entire scene is lit according to the driving situation (city light, motorway light, adverse weather light, bending light). Even up hills and around curves, the system maximizes drivers’ visibility, enabling earlier dangers detection and quicker reaction.

5th Gear tests ABS, TC, ESC stability control

ABS (Antilock braking system - prevents wheels slipping on straight or going down a hill), TC (Traction Control - prevents wheels slipping going up a hill), ESC (Electronic Stability Control - prevents skids by individual application of brakes to individual wheels).

Choose ESC - 3 letters to save your life! Thats Electronic Skid / Stability Control!

More quotes from famous drivers...

• ESC is Electronic Stability Control
• there are 42,000 fatalities & 1.7 million injuries on Europe's roads
• 40% of fatal accidents (16,000) involve a skid
• 25% of skids can be avoided with ESC
• so 4,000 fatalities (and 100,000 injuries) could be saved each year if all cars in the EU were equipped with ESC (Electronic Stability Control)!
• By 2014 ALL new cars sold in EU will have ESC fitted as standard.  
• ESC* must be fitted when you buy a car - extra cost of manufacture $111 (£75), typically £200 retail.

* Are there different names for ESC? Look for 'Stability' or:-

• ESP Electronic Stability Programme (Mercedes (trademark), Bosch (trademark), Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Vauxhall, Peugeot, Renault, SEAT, VW)
• DSC Dynamic Stability Control (Mazda, Land Rover, Jaguar, BMW, Rover)
• VSA Vehicle Stability Assist (Honda, Hyundai)
• VSC Vehicle Stability Control (Toyota)
• VDC Vehicle Dynamic Control (Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Nissan)
• List of all ESC alternative names used by all manufacturers

Source:

1. Euro NCAP ESC 
2. www.chooseesc.com 
3. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety - original 2006 research shows that Electronic stability control could prevent nearly one-third of all fatal crashes
4. Wikipedia ESC history, references
6. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - original 2004 research shows 30% reduction in fatal single vehicle crashes in passenger cars with ESC
7. eSafety Challenge - 
8. Flyer

longer version ...

Crabsallover is selling his 2004 Fiat Punto (without ESC) and buying a car equipped with ESC!!