U.S. to require car stability control

Federal officials this week are expected to propose requiring that all vehicles have stability-control systems to reduce the risk of rollovers and other crashes.

More than 10,000 lives could be saved each year when the systems, which use brakes and engine power to keep a car from veering out of the driver's control, are on all vehicles, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That would make it the most life-saving safety device since the seat belt.

When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's proposed rule becomes final, it would likely be at least three years before stability control would be on all new vehicles. It is available on more than half of new vehicles sold but can cost up to $900 as a stand-alone option.

NHTSA typically lets automakers decide on the technology they use to meet the agency's rules. But studies have been so convincing about stability control's ability to dramatically reduce crashes that Congress ordered NHTSA to require it. Comments on the proposal will be taken for 60 days, and a final rule will likely be issued early next year.


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Rupert - 9/12/2006 2:45:57 PM

+1 Boost

yay NHTSA!
maybe we'll have something like this in europe.
in the uk we already have to have abs, do you?

mstangpny07 - 9/12/2006 4:37:19 PM

+1 Boost

That's great!!

No, Rupert, ABS is not required, but only like 15 cars don't have it standard.

lexusis350 - 9/12/2006 5:49:32 PM

+1 Boost

It's just as well, most cars now have it anyway.

mstangpny07 - 9/12/2006 9:47:34 PM

+1 Boost

^Really?
I don't think so.....

mstangpny07 - 9/12/2006 9:48:04 PM

+1 Boost

Or were you referring to ABS?

lexusis350 - 9/12/2006 11:17:42 PM

+1 Boost

I meant VSC and ABS. Most of the midsize passenger cars have it anyway.

mstangpny07 - 9/13/2006 8:35:26 PM

+1 Boost

VSC is the term used only on ToyLex. Please open yourself up. It is called in the mainsream ESP. Several cars have it as an option, a few have it standard, but many do not.