Statistical analyses based on FARS and NASS CDS data from 1997 to 2009 found that a vehicle equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) had a smaller likelihood of being involved in a crash than a similar vehicle without ESC. This analysis estimates the magnitude of that reduction for different types of crashes and for different types of vehicles. Overall, ESC was associated with a 5-percent decrease in the likelihood that a passenger car would be involved in any police-reported crash and a 23-percent reduction in the probability that a passenger car would be involved in a fatal crash. For light trucks and vans (LTVs), the reductions are 7 percent and 20 percent respectively. Each of these reductions is statistically significant except the 5 percent overall effect for passenger cars. Fatal first-event rollovers are reduced by 56 percent in passenger cars and by 74 percent in LTVs. Fatal impacts with fixed objects are reduced by 47 percent in passenger cars and 45 percent in LTVs. These reductions are statistically significant. (Author/publisher)
Abstract