| You may be surprised to hear the news that new | | | | able to compensate. |
| cars sold in the UK are less safe than those sold in | | | | After researching one popular French Supermini, I |
| other countries in Europe. I was certainly surprised to | | | | found that you are able to add this feature, at the |
| say the least. | | | | time of purchase for a mere £400. Not a lot |
| I had always imagined that, as a fairly developed | | | | when you consider it could save your life! |
| country, we would be up there with the leaders of | | | | The implications of these shocking figures do not end |
| the latest developments in the car safety industry. | | | | there. Because of this poor safety statistic, it is |
| It has been reported by the RAC that only 55% of | | | | thought that it may begin to affect the price of the |
| new cars sold have E.S.C fitted, otherwise known as | | | | average car insurance policy. A shocking statistic |
| Electronic Stability Control. (You will find that the vast | | | | shows that only 8% of Superminis have this as a |
| majority of manufacturers refer to it as E.S.P, | | | | standard feature. |
| Electronic Stability Program). Figures from several | | | | Think of this simple equation; New drivers (under 25) |
| other European countries, some you'd be surprised | | | | + Supermini (car of choice for this age group) + |
| at, are into the late 60's and 70's. | | | | variables (more likely to have accident, as under 25) |
| To give you an idea of what this safety feature | | | | = Big problem. |
| does, imagine the following; | | | | The important thing to remember is; In Theory, the |
| You're driving too fast around a corner and the car | | | | safer your car, the more likely you are to save |
| begins to slip. This is the point where E.S.C comes | | | | money on your car insurance (taking into account |
| into play. The system senses the wheels slipping and | | | | engine size, trim, etc). If you can buy a car that has |
| possible over/understeer, reduces the engine power | | | | received a good European NCAP score (New car |
| output, controls the amount of power given to each | | | | assessment programme) you should be able to land |
| wheel independently and helps give you back control. | | | | yourself with a cheap car insurance policy. Of course |
| All of this is done in a fraction of a second, thus | | | | if you do buy the 2.5 litre sport model, you might find |
| reacting far faster than the normal driver would be | | | | it just a little more expensive. |