European Union makes ESP compulsory for all cars

ESP, or electronic stability program is a system that keeps the car in control in low traction situations or loss of grip. By using sensors, ESP compares 25 times per second whether the car is moving in the direction the driver is steering in and if not, ESP kicks in and reduces engine torque. If that's not enough, it will then individual brake the wheels as a method to generate the necessary counterforce to keep the vehicle on course.

While ESP is a standard feature on most higher end cars available all over the world, it will now need to be equipped on all passenger cars and some lightweight commercial vehicles sold in Europe.

According to statistics, 84 per cent of all new cars sold in Europe were equipped with ESP this year. The figures also indicate that ESP this year alone has saved over 6000 lives and 1,90,000 accidents in Europe alone. The first implementation of the new rule will include only cars that are limited to a kerb weight of 3500 kilos but will soon be extended to all road-going vehicles soon.

ESP has already been mandatory in the United States and Canada since September 2011 for vehicles that weight up to 4500 kilos. ESP is also mandatory in Australia and Israel whereas Japan, South Korea, Turkey and Russia is expected to implement this regulation soon too.