Benefit potential of ESP in real accident situations involving cars and trucks.

The Electronic Stability Program, or ESP, for passenger cars, leads to a stabilization of the vehicle in adverse circumstances on the road or during evasive manoeuvers by means of a selective intervention in the braking system and the resulting regulation of the yawing moment. This is of particular importance during evasive manoeuvers, when counter-steering and when accelerating or decelerating during cornering. Furthermore, stability control systems such as this are about to be released on to the market for commercial vehicles. In conjunction with additional roll-over prevention systems, this represents real potential in the avoidance of accidents, in particular rollover and jack-knifing. In this context, the Institute for Vehicle Safety Munich (IFM) investigated the benefit potential of ESP in real accident situations by means of a detailed analysis of several accident databases. On the one hand, they determined the maximum possible benefits and on the other hand they analyzed and categorized individual accidents where ESP could exert a positive influence. Loss of control could be observed in approx. 25 to 30% of all car accidents involving personal injury. In the case of trucks, up to 9% of serious accidents could have been positively influenced or even prevented using an ESP. Finally, limitations of these modern technical systems will be outlined and possible future problems such as poor maintenance will be discussed. For the covering abstract see ITRD E825082.