The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) installed in every 2006 Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Mercedes, Porsche, Cadillac, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mini, Toyota, Volkswagen, and in some of Volvo, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Hummer, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Saturn models — has the potential to prevent 10,000 car crash deaths on American roads every year, claims Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.



This Electronic Stability Control achieves this goal by continuously monitoring the driver’s steering wheel input to the vehicle and automatically brakes individual wheels when required. It also reduces the risk of fatal single-vehicle rollovers of SUVs by 80 percent, and by 77 percent for cars.



It is also known as Electronic Stability Program, StabiliTrack, and Active Handling. It costs about $300 to $800 in a stand-alone option and around $2,000 when packaged with other equipment.



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