Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt European Commission reveals new compulsory ESP plans
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European Commission reveals new compulsory ESP plans

Date: 29 May 2008   |   Author:

ESC anti-skid control off

The European Commission has proposed that ESP anti-skid control should be standard on all newly launched cars from 2012, and standard across all new cars from 2014 in an attempt to cut road deaths across Europe.

The commission is also seeking to make low-rolling resistance tyres and tyre pressure monitoring systems obligatory on all new cars from 2012 to help meet CO2-reduction objectives.

Other suggestions under the new plans include lane-departure warning plus collision-detecting brake assist systems on HGVs.

The BVRLA welcomed the suggestions to make ESP mandatory.

"These new safety rules will help fleet managers control the risk associated with company cars," said BVRLA director general John Lewis. "Supplying the latest vehicles with features like electronic stability controls will show that employers are providing the safest cars possible."

Lewis also said the timeframes are reasonable for introduction. "Most manufacturers will already be working ahead of this schedule as part of their product strategies," he said. "Partly because of the demand they are seeing from fleet operators who want to reduce the fuel consumption of their vehicles and improve safety for their drivers."

A spokesman for the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders said the plans are "currently in the proposal stage and the motor industry is talking about suitable timeframes".

The EC claims standard fitment of ESP would cut European road deaths by 5000 per year, while the tyres modifications could shave 7g/km from car CO2 emissions. There's no word yet at to when the proposals could make it to binding legislation.



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