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 Studies/Reports
Preliminary Results Analyzing the Effectiveness of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Systems
Related Links
 external link icon 2007 Electronic Stability Control Equipped Vehicles
 Rules   
FMVSS Part Details Actions
126 49 CFR Parts 571 & 585 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Electronic Stability Control Systems
As part of a comprehensive plan for reducing the serious risk of rollover crashes and the risk of death and serious injury in those crashes, this rule establishes Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 126 to require electronic stability control (ESC) systems on passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 Kg (10,000 pounds) or less. ESC systems use automatic computer-controlled braking of individual wheels to assist the driver in maintaining control in critical driving situations. NHTSA estimates ESC will reduce single-vehicle crashes of passenger cars by 34% and single vehicle crashes of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) by 59%, with a much greater reduction of rollover crashes. NHTSA estimates ESC would save 5,300 to 9,600 lives and prevent 156,000 to 238,000 injuries in all types of crashes annually once all light vehicles on the road are equipped with ESC.
PDF icon Final Rule
PDF icon Final Regulatory Impact Analysis
PDF icon Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
PDF icon Preliminary Regulatory Impact Analysis
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