Electronic Stability Control Technology Could Prevent Over 2,100 Rollover Fatalities a Year

WASHINGTON, DC - May 13, 2003 -- Confronting the growing concern about increasing fatalities in motor vehicle rollovers, automotive supplier Continental Teves presented evidence today that Electronic Stability Control (ESC) - available technology that enables drivers to retain control in dangerous situations -- should have influenced positively as many as 25 to 43 percent of all the fatal rollover crashes in the U.S. Data complied by Continental, DEKRA Automotive Research and others suggest ESC may well have safety benefits greater than air bags.

Continental Teves North America President and CEO Bill Kozyra said, "Most of the emphasis to date has been on protecting people once a rollover is unavoidable. Seat belts, for example, are critical safety equipment to protect in all kinds of crashes. But we also should be moving full steam ahead to prevent rollover crashes from occurring in the first place. Preventing a crash should always be the first goal of motor vehicle safety."

The new facts about ESC's safety performance were presented for the first time to industry and NHTSA safety officials at the annual SAE Government/Industry Meeting in Washington, DC, May 12-13, by Continental Teves engineer Frank Steinmeier.

Steinmeier said that a DEKRA Automotive Research study in Germany showed a 27 percent reduction in fatalities from single vehicle rollover crashes. Extrapolating these results to U.S. crash statistics, Continental Teves estimates that ESC could save more than 2,100 lives a year in the U.S. that result from rollover crashes alone. That is more than comparable to the 1,200 lives saved annually by air bags.

"That's a safety benefit of huge proportion," Steinmeier said.

Continental Teves believes that motor vehicle safety is a continuum with three distinct phases. Phase one is avoidance-doing things that keep drivers from getting into trouble. Phase two involves maintaining control after trouble begins with systems like ESC. And, phase three is protection when a crash is unavoidable (seat belts and air bags).

"Unfortunately, preventing crashes in the first place and helping drivers to remain in control when trouble begins have taken a back seat to measures to protect occupants after a crash. It shouldn't be an either/or proposition. We need both. Thanks to electronics we have the technology today to improve active vehicle safety to new heights," Kozyra emphasized.

ESC is an interactive safety system that uses sensors and applies brakes at specific wheels automatically when it senses an out-of-control situation. Doing so helps the driver keep the vehicle stable, on the road and in control of the situation. Most rollovers occur because the driver loses control.

Continental Teves was a pioneer in the development of ESC and anti-lock brakes. It is one of the world's leading suppliers of both foundation brakes and electronic brake systems. Its corporate credo is to make driving more comfortable, safe and fun.