New EU rules mean that from 1st November 2011, all new car and light commercial vehicle models in Europe have to be fitted with ESP (Electronic Stability Program), to reduce the risk of skidding. This is part of a comprehensive Europe wide road safety programme.

Commenting on the introduction, Dr. Werner Struth, president of the Bosch Chassis Systems Control division said, “ESP can prevent up to 80% of all skidding accidents. It is the most important vehicle safety system after the seat belt.” Bosch were pioneers in the development of ESP and in 1995, it was the first company worldwide to start series production. In 2010, 41% of new cars and light commercial vehicles were equipped with the system.

ESP uses intelligent sensors to check 25 times per second whether the driver's steering input matches the vehicle's actual direction of travel. If the system detects some discrepancy and identifies that the vehicle is likely to become unstable, ESP intervenes by reducing the engine torque in order to restore stability. If that is not sufficient, then it additionally brakes individual wheels. ESP also incorporates the functions of the antilock braking system (ABS) and traction control.