Well it looks like Australia will catch up with the rest of the world with the introduction of electronic stability control (ESC), albeit later rather than sooner.

In a case of ‘better late than never’ the Australian Automobile Association has thrown its weight behind calls to make ESC standard in all new cars by 2012.

Australia’s peak motoring body – the Australian Automobile Association – has supported international calls for the life-saving vehicle safety technology, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), to be included in all new cars by 2012.

The AAA backed comments by the President of the FIA, Max Mosley, who has called on the European Union to meet its stated goal of fitting ESC on all new cars by 2012.

source: AAA media release

The AAA seem happy to quote figures celebrating the benefits of ESC, yet they are willing to wait until 2012 for it to become standard fitment. Lets be honest, at the rate ESC is being picked up by the market at the moment, the AAA et al could do nothing between now and 2012 and ESC will be fitted on 99% of new cars anyway.

Research shows that ESC has the potential to significantly reduce the road toll, so isn’t it about time the auto world got serious about it, rather than paying it lip service and making warm and fuzzy motherhood statements in press releases? How about mandating the compulsory fitment of ESC for all new cars sold in Australia? How about including it in the Australian Design Rules? Instead of following the standard set by Europe, why doesn’t the Australian car industry take the initiative and lead the way?

Yes it’s good to set targets that are achievable, but how about setting some that would accelerate things a little? Grrr… this big on talk, low on action lip service announcements really annoy me!

Rant over.

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