ESC ahead for all trucks and coaches
Legislation update
<< Back to contents page
The safety of European registered trucks and tourist coaches will be improved as a result of an agreement reached at a United Nations meeting in Geneva to equip new vehicles with electronic stability control (ESC) systems...
The requirements will be phased in over a number of years, with priority given to the vehicles where the potential benefit is greatest, such as heavy truck/trailer combinations and touring coaches. New vehicle types in the most common categories will have to be fitted with ESC from 2010.
ESC avoids accidents by helping the driver maintain control of the vehicle in critical situations. It is estimated that equipping these vehicles with ESC system could ultimately save over 500 deaths and 2,500 serious injuries per year in the European Union.
The agreement, made at a United Nations meeting in Geneva, requires heavy vehicles approved by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Braking Regulation (Regulation 13) to be fitted with an ESC system meeting an agreed specification.