The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) consists of the functions of ABS and TSC and also works to prevent the vehicle from skidding. If the system detects that the vehicle is about to skid, it instantly reduces the engine output and specifically brakes single or several wheels. The result: The vehicle remains on the course desired by the driver.

Many international studies demonstrate that skidding is the root cause of at least 40 percent of all fatal traffic accidents. According to these studies, ESP® can reduce the risk of skidding by as much as 80 percent. A new study of the social costs of traffic accidents from the University of Cologne, presented at the event, concludes that if ESP® were introduced across the board, 4,000 lives could be saved and 100,000 injuries prevented in Europe alone.

Bosch supplies ESP® systems for all vehicles with hydraulic braking systems since 1995. while in 2006, only 26 percent of all new vehicles worldwide were equipped with the life-saving safety system, in the first half of 2007, 47 percent of all newly registered cars in Europe were equipped with ESP®. 
EU Commission plans to mandate ESP® for new passenger-car and commercial-vehicle models from 2012, and for all new vehicles from 2014. Law already passed in the U.S. to mandate ESP® for vehicles weighing up to 4.5 metric tons from model year 2012.