WORLD OF COUPE CARS

Bosch supports Thatcham ESC rating system

29.August, 2006 @07:08     Tech News
The active safety system that could save 400 lives in the UK
A simple rating system that makes it clear to buyers of new cars if a model has stability control – the technology that prevents a car from skidding - fitted as standard, as an option or is not available, has just been launched by Thatcham, the motor insurance research centre. The move has received support from Bosch the company that developed the technology over a decade ago.

Active safety systems, such as Electronic Stability Program research has shown, can help to prevent 400 deaths and 3,000 serious injuries on UK roads if all cars were fitted with this technology. However, Bosch research has shown that only 8% of UK motorists are aware of ESP and only 39% of new cars on sale in Britain are fitted with this safety system.

"We welcome this important move by Thatcham", said Bosch GB managing director Hermann Kaess. "Anything that makes the motoring public more aware of stability control and its potential for saving lives and reducing serious injuries has to be applauded and we will do all we can to support and promote this important road safety initiative".

Bosch was one of the first signatories of the EU Road Safety Charter and has committed to promote the benefits of ESP. To date the company has demonstrated, through its ESPerience programme, what ESP is and how it functions to some 25,000 dealer sales staff across Europe.

Bosch received the coveted Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in 2003 for their development of the ESP technology and the company is one of the world’s leading suppliers of this technology to passenger cars and light vans.