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.