Electronic stability control ESC - three letters that can save your life

source: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/electronic-stability-control.html

Electronic stability control

ESC - three letters that can save your life

These days the emphasis in vehicle safety development is on electronic systems that can help prevent an accident happening rather than on measures to reduce the severity of injuries when one does occur. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) was one of the first, and most effective, and will have to be fitted as standard on all new cars from 2014.

Antilock braking systems have been around for a couple of decades or more and help maintain maximum braking effort and full steering control in an emergency, without skidding. ESC builds on the capability of antilock brakes and makes use of some of the same sensors and braking components.

What does ESC do?

A lot of accidents are the result of a loss of control in a bend taken too fast or a need to take rapid evasive action. A slide or spin is very difficult for most drivers to recover from.

With ESC, if wheel sensors detect the beginning of a slide – the car's actual course starts to deviate from the intended course – small amounts of braking can be applied automatically to individual wheels to regain stability and prevent the slide.

Studies show that there is a significant reduction in the risk of an accident for cars fitted with Electronic Stability Control.

ESC is not a substitute for careful driving and won't be able to prevent all accidents, particularly when speeds are excessive or conditions extreme. It still relies on the car's basic braking system and tyres which must be in good condition for best performance.

Research results

A Department for Transport study in June 2007 concluded that vehicles equipped with Electronic Stability Control are 25% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those without. If every vehicle on the road were fitted with ESC, this would equate to approximately 380 fewer fatal accidents each year.

ESC was found to be 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%. ESC offers additional benefits in adverse road conditions such as wet or snowy weather.

'Choose ESC' is a Europe-wide campaign launched by 'eSafetyAware!'. Supported by the European Commission, Euro NCAP and others, the campaign promotes information to encourage car buyers to 'Choose ESC' next time they buy a new car.

Buying a new car

Some car manufacturers offer stability control as standard, others as an optional extra. All have their own names or acronyms, which can make comparing specifications difficult.

All of these mean the same thing:

• ESP Electronic Stability Programme
• ESC Electronic Stability Control
• VDC Vehicle Dynamic Control
• DSC Dynamic Stability Control
• VSA Vehicle Stability Assist
• ASC Active Stability Control
• DSTC Dynamic Stability and Traction Control

(5 December 2011)

Speed Alert Systems

via Facebook  Euro NCAP

Euro NCAP say:

... Speed restrictions are intended to promote safe use of the road network by keeping traffic speeds below the maximum that is appropriate for a given traffic environment, thereby protecting vehicle occupants and other road users.  

Excessive speeding is sometimes unintentional. Drivers who are tired or otherwise distracted may allow their speeds to drift above the maximum allowed for that road. Others may inadvertently miss a traffic sign alerting them to a change in the speed limit, such as when entering a built-up area. Speed alert or Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems help drivers to keep their speeds within the recommended limits. 

Some systems display the current limit so that the driver is always aware of the maximum speed allowed on that road. The speed limit may, for example, be determined by software which analyses images from a camera and recognises traffic signs. Alternatively, satellite navigation is becoming increasingly accurate and could be used to provide information to the driver. However, this relies on the most up to date digital maps being available at all times. Systems may or may not issue a warning to the driver when the speed limit is being exceeded and current systems are voluntary: they can be switched off and they rely on the driver responding appropriately to the warning. 

Other systems do not inform the driver of the current speed limit; they allow drivers to set a limit of their choice and warn when that limit is being exceeded. Used responsibly, such systems can also contribute to safer driving by helping drivers to control their speeds. Example: Speed Limitation Assistance (SLA) 

20's Plenty for Us

20's Plenty for Us

Auto braking: a quantum leap for road safety - Telegraph

Auto braking: a quantum leap for road safety - Telegraph


It’s a familiar tale. You’re travelling in slow-moving traffic when, before you can react, the car in front stops suddenly. You slam on the brakes but it’s too late and there’s a sickening crunch as bumpers meet. It’s a minor collision, but getting the cars repaired will take time and most likely push up your insurance premium come renewal, and then there’s the ever-present threat of whiplash claims.

Such accidents could soon be a thing of the past, for those driving new cars at least, thanks to Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). It’s a system that uses radar, lidar (laser) or video technology to warn the driver of an impending frontal collision before priming the brakes and eventually performing an emergency stop.

Euro NCAP to drive availability of AEB systems for safer cars in Europe

Brussels, 13 June 2012 – Euro NCAP today publishes the results of its survey on the availability of Autonomous Emergency Braking systems in Europe and reveals that the assessment programme will include AEB technologies in its star rating from 2014.

Real world performance data suggests AEB systems can reduce accidents by up to 27%. Although the introduction of these active safety technologies is reducing road deaths and injuries, the availability of AEB in Europe is far from standardized. A recent survey undertaken by Euro NCAP reveals that AEB is completely unavailable on 79% of the car models on sale in Europe and that 66% of manufacturers do not offer an AEB system on any of their new car models.

Autonomous Emergency Braking systems can help to avoid crashes or to mitigate their severity by warning the driver and supporting his braking response and/or by applying the brakes independently. The technology generally uses forward-looking radar, lidar and video systems to provide a complete, accurate, real-time image of the road ahead.

Since 2010, several car manufacturers have been recognized for the safety benefits of their AEB systems through Euro NCAP Advanced rewards. Euro NCAP finds that premium brands such as Volvo, Infiniti and Mercedes have the best levels of standard AEB fitment, and are joined by Jaguar, Range Rover, Audi and Lexus when optional fit is also considered.

Cars in the Executive and Large Family categories have the highest level of availability, at least as an option. However, some volume sector manufacturers are showing that AEB can be offered as standard or as an affordable option on mass-market vehicles. Amongst others, Mazda, Ford, Honda and Volkswagen are selling AEB systems partly as standard or optional on some high-volume cars such as the Mazda CX-5, the Ford Focus, the Honda Civic and the VW up!. It is understood that Fiat will also make AEB a low-cost option on the new Panda in July 2012.

AEB systems are increasingly being made available as cars are replaced by new or facelifted models, such as the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the Ford Fiesta and Ford Kuga. Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP says ‘A faster penetration of these technologies into new cars will make it more realistic for the European Union to reach its target to cut road deaths by 50% by 2020.

Consequently, Euro NCAP has decided to include AEB assessments as part of the overall star rating from 2014 onwards and hopes that European authorities will soon require AEB as mandatory on all new vehicle types.’

Since Euro NCAP published the first safety rating in 1997, considerable efforts have been made by car manufacturers, technology providers, authorities and road operators to make cars safer. Despite an important reduction of road deaths the past 15 years, in Europe today, over 30,000 people are still killed on the road and many more are injured every year.

The inclusion of AEB systems in the Euro NCAP star rating will alert and encourage consumers to choose AEB when buying a new car as it will improve their safety, make a real difference and help them avoid or mitigate a crash. Results of Euro NCAP’s AEB survey were released today at a major event organized for the 15th anniversary of the organization at the Autoworld in Brussels. Details on the survey are available on the Euro NCAP website. Watch our AEB video and click here to check the results of the AEB survey. Media Contact: Marie Brasseur, Euro NCAP Communications Manager Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pusha

Euro NCAP | Autonomous Emergency Braking AEB

Relative Risks of Speeding and Drinking compared

Ref: Copyright Chris Street, August 2011, Adapted from: 

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/1997/pdf/Speed_Risk_1.pdf

Ref: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Relative_risk_of_an_accident_based_on_blood_alcohol_levels_.png

Ref: Table 5.2 page 54

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/1997/pdf/Speed_Risk_1.pdf

From the cover page 'In a 60 km/h speed limit area, the risk of involvement in a casualty crash doubles with each 5 km/h increase in travelling speed above 60 km/h'

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/1997/pdf/Speed_Risk_1.pdf

80 mg alcohol/100ml blood = x3.2 alcohol relative risk increase

Ref: 

http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/fall05/garcia/body.html

Ref: 

http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/fall05/garcia/body.html

From BAC Effects table a Blood Alcohol Content 0.1% is legally drunk. From BAC Chart for Men for a 160kg man legally drunk approx. 3-4 x 175ml glasses Red Wine.

I'm now an Advanced Driver!

My old pal Steve Yates (facebook comments) asked me how I got on with the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) course and test that I started September 2010?


Early in 2010, I'd focussed on replacing our 10 year old Renault Megane and 5 year old Fiat Punto car with safer (5 star) EuroNCAP cars. During Spring/Summer 2010 (after much analysis on spreadsheets comparing more than twenty cars), Sharon and I bought a new Nissan Qashqai and a 2007 Vauxhall Corsa which were both fitted with ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and (numerous) other safety features

Sharon gave me the  IAM (Institute Advanced Motorists) Skill for Life Programme for my birthday August 2010 - at £139 it's a bargain! 


My local instructor from Bournemouth IAM was David Hodges, a retired science teacher who had passed his IAM Advanced Driving Test four years ago and was now a trained Observer. I'd drive to his home in my Qashqai and then drive for 90 minutes on the 12 or so runs (September 2010 to June 2011).

included in the £139 IAM fee

From my first few lessons I learnt that my driving weaknesses included:-

• Vehicle Sympathy
• yanking up the handbrake - no ratchet
• 3 point turns - turning the steering wheel when not moving
• gear changes were rushed
• not putting clutch down before starting car
• Braking
• using gears to slow down the car instead of 'Gears to go, brakes to slow'.
• on stopping use handbrake then get out of gear (don't go into neutral then apply handbrake) 
• Gear Changing
• changing down gears several times before reaching a 'hazard'
• changing gears whilst not travelling in a straight line
• holding gear stick incorrectly when changing gears
• 'The System' - Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration (IPSGA) 
• Mirror Signal Manoeuvre order 
• Progress
• not looking for an 'early view' at roundabouts (I argued with David that this approach could be less safe!)
• Observation
• not remembering the last traffic sign just passed (revealed a lot about how the mind works)
• Smoothness
• not smooth driving
• Slow Manoeuvring
• not accurately aware of distances behind or in front of car on 3 point turns

David Hodges lent me a Roadcraft DVD

After 10 runs David Hodges recommended I take the ...

Recommended Book

Pre-Test run 
April 21st 2011 with Keith Bowers (Bournemouth IAM)
Skill level 1 (Unsatisfactory) to 4 (excellent)

Pre-Drive Checks: 3 (polish a little), Driver Attitude: 3, System 3, Observation & Planning: 3 (several missed signs, also read the Highway code), Car Control: 3 (gear change - handling gear stick, timing gear change, gear selected), Positioning: 3, Cornering: 3, Overtaking (no chances), Manoeuvres: 2 (practise turn in road to judge vehicle length. Reverse around corner-avoid swan-neck, Commentary (N/A), Knowledge check: 3 (see observation & planning).
Points for next observed run: Test ready, subject to more practise on points above.

Unfortunately the Pre-Test run had not prepared me for the higher level of standard required of 'System' checks at the Advanced Drivers Test.

Advanced Drivers Test

I took the Advanced test on 11th May 2011 with Paul Williams (a Police driving instructor and Qualified Examiner). I thought I'd done well but I failed the test because:-

• System
• 8 examples of not using mirror before signalling or braking (my errors in this regard had not been highlighted sufficiently by David Hodges or Keith Bowers. By contrast, Paul Williams recognised my consistent error)
• brake-signal-no mirror
• late signals after braking
• several disallowed overlapping breaking and gear manoeuvres
• 3x: brake-mirror-brake-gear-brake
• brake-gear-signal-brake
• Acceleration / Sense
• accelerating towards one traffic light
• Cornering
• bend assessment was not consistent - I slowed down after the focal point opened up instead of increasing acceleration smoothly
• Progress
• really overcautious once - not keeping up to the 40mph speed limit and had held up following traffic (on the re-test Paul advised that I would not have passed the normal driving test because of several instances of overcautious driving) and too slow at a junction.

Paul Williams written remarks were 'Whilst the drive was safe and generally polished and most areas exceeded competency, System lacked sufficient consistency to achieve competency, and improvement are needed with hazard management, use of mirrors and cornering.

Between the Test and the Re-test
The test had highlighted that my main weakness was application of the 'System' (IPSGA - Information Positioning Speed Gear Acceleration) which includes the Mirror Signal Manoeuvre of the standard driving test. I had not got into the habit of always using the mirror before braking or signalling. I occasionally used the brake before signalling. Over decades I got into the habit of using my brakes whilst changing gear. The brake/gear overlap technique is only allowed when a car is following close behind and I was using the B/G overlap far too frequently (which can increase the risk of skidding)

I had another couple of lesson with David Hodges before the re-test and gradually I ironed out these issues.

Re-test
At the 6th July 2011 re-test all went well! The only points noted in writing by Paul Williams were:-

• one instance of signalling after braking
• one instance of break/gear overlap because my speed of approach was marginally too quick.

He verbally told me I had a couple of other (minor) break/gear overlaps especially coming at the end of the re-test when my concentration lapsed.

His written remarks were 'Competency has been achieved in all areas to produce a safe, systematic and progressive drive'.

Test & Re-Test Competance Levels 
1 to 5 (1-Excellent, 2-Good, 3-Satisfactory, 4-Poor, 5-Unsatisfactory)
(test: May 2011, re-test July 2011)

Safety (2,2), System (5,2), Observation (2,2), Positioning (2,2), Hazard Management (5,2), Planning (3,2), Anticipation (3,2), Eco-Driving (2,2), Vehicle Sympathy (2,2), Gear Changing (2,2), Use of Gearbox (2,2), Acceleration /Sense (3,2), Braking (2,2), Steering (2,2), Mirrors / Rear Observation (5,2), Signals (2,2), Cornering (5,2), Overtaking (NA,NA), Restraint (2,2), Progress (3,2), Smoothness (2,3), Concentration (1,2), Courtesy (1,3), Legality (1,2), Slow Manoeuvring (2,2), Knowledge (3,2), Commentary (NA,NA)

I passed the 6th July 2011 re-test! Now I'm a qualified IAM Advanced Driver!!


Many thanks to Paul Williams, Keith Bowers and especially to David Hodges.

Cars fitted with Speed Limitation Assistance (SLA)

Source: http://www.euroncap.com/carsearch.aspx

Safety Assist rating on cars with Speed Limitation Assistance (SLA) is always > 86% in New Rating Scheme (from 2009).

BMW Series 5 - Euro NCAP Safest Executive Car 2010 - Includes Speed Limitation Assistance (SLA)

more about the Announcement....

About BMW 5 Series

Euro NCAP is glad to announce the five best performing cars of 2010. To be selected as safest cars of their categories, these vehicles achieved a high overall score and attained the coveted five star rating.

Last year, Euro NCAP crash tested twenty nine vehicles, 65% of which reached the five star rating, compared to 90% in 2009. This decrease of 25% clearly shows that Euro NCAP’s criteria to reach a five stars are now tougher. While Euro NCAP’s poorest results of 2010 were achieved by the Citroen Nemo with three stars and by the Landwind CV9 which received only two stars, the top achievers by category are:

• Executive category: BMW 5 Series
• Small Family category: Alfa Romeo Giulietta
• Supermini category: Honda CR-Z
• Small off-road 4×4 category: Kia Sportage
• Small MPV category: Toyota Verso