ESC technology represents one of the most significant advances in vehicle occupant safety of the last few decades. ESC technology can reduce your chances of having a car wreck in Houston, and also reduce your chances of severe injury or death if you do have a wreck. Various government, non-profit and auto industry groups have conducted numerous studies over the years regarding the safety benefits of having ESC technology on your vehicle. We’ve summarized the ESC statistics here for your convenience.
Reduction in your chances of a single vehicle crash from loss of control in a:
Passenger Car: 30.5% – 40.3%
SUV: 49.5% – 71.5%
Reduction in your chances of experiencing a rollover in a:
Passenger Car: 39.7%
SUV: 72.9%
Reduction in your chances of running off the road from a rear-end collision in a:
Passenger Car: 54.5%
SUV: 70.3%
A study using government FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) data found no significant effects from ESC on roads that weren’t dry. But a similar study using government GES (General Estimates System) data showed a percentage reduction of about 40% for passenger cars and about 71% for SUVs on non-dry roads. The studies indicate that male and female drivers derive about the same reduction in chances of a wreck from ESC. Middle-aged and older drivers seemed to benefit most from the presence of ESC.
It’s pretty clear that having ESC on your vehicle can help prevent a car wreck, and reduce the severity of your car wreck in Houston if you can’t avoid it altogether. Rollover wrecks drastically increase your chances of severe injury or death in a wreck, and ESC substantially reduces your chances of having rollover wrecks. Depending upon your speed, trajectory and the conditions of your accident though, ESC can’t always make corrections and prevent your rollover. News reports around the country detail rollover wrecks every day, and remind us of the dangers.
So don’t think that just because you have ESC, it will correct for excessive speed or irresponsible driving. It won’t; there’s only so much it can do. You can read the companion article on how ESC works by following this link. Drive safe.