Government urges ESC as standard

• Report says ESC cuts road deaths by 25%
• Government wants ESC as standard
• 98% of our readers want ESC as standard

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The Government is urging car manufacturers to fit Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard.

Cars fitted with ESC are 25% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those without it, according to new research commissioned by the Department for Transport at Loughborough University.

Road safety minister Dr Stephen Ladyman said: 'Today's research proves what a powerful tool ESC could be in saving lives. I urge anyone thinking of buying a new car to consider the safety benefits that ESC could bring.

'I also call on manufacturers to fit this important piece of kit as standard more widely - it's not expensive and has the potential to make our roads significantly safer.'

Last month, a Euro NCAP study on ESC showed that, out of the 25 European Union states, the UK finished 21st, with only 56% of new cars sold here having the safety kit fitted as standard. Euro NCAP called this statistic 'dreadful'.

A whatcar.com survey showed that 98% of readers wanted the safety device fitted as standard. To see the effects of how a car drives with and without ESC, take a look at our video below.

• Windows Media Player: ESP Video
• RealOne Player: ESP Video

To watch this clip through iTunes, click here. Alternatively, add the following link to your preferred podcast software: http://www.whatcar.com/rss/whatcarvideo.xml.