Electronic Stability Control to be Required Equipment

New rules released by NHTSA will require that all new vehicles come equipped with Electronic Stability Control ( ESC ) by 2012. The rule also requires that the vehicles have an indicator light that will warn drivers if the system is malfunctioning. It is estimated that having ESC installed on all vehicles could save around 10,300 lives a year and prevent nearly $450 million in property damage. The rule also allows the systems to be turned off by the driver, allowing for conditions where ESC could be a hindrance, such as traversing off-road trails or when enthusiasts wish to drive their vehicles at the race track.