WASHINGTON, Oct.
7 /PRNewswire/ -- Auto safety supplier Continental Teves applauded the
federal government's new consumer information program about vehicle
rollovers that was announced today, and called for more awareness about
available technology to prevent rollovers from occurring.
Company president
and CEO Bill Kozyra said, "We support giving consumers more information
about risk prevention to guide their purchase decisions. They also need
to know about what's available to prevent many rollover and other out-of-control
crash situations from even happening. We welcome the Federal government's
new consumer information program and their guidance to responsible purchase
decisions."
The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced an expanded information
program mandated by Congress that rates vehicles for their likelihood
of rolling over. Ratings are based on physical measurements of the vehicle
and performance in a test track maneuver.
"That's helpful
information for accessing the stability of a vehicle, but it does not
address vehicle controllability. Eighty percent of rollovers start as
a single-vehicle, loss-of-control event. In these cases the driver either
lost control and went off the road, or lost control and slid sideways
along the road and tripped. Ninety percent of all rollovers occur off
the road," Kozyra said. "The point is, the driver needs to
stay in control and on the road, and we need to provide them the tools
to help remain in control. That technology is available now.
"Most consumers
know that rollovers are a deadly problem," he said. "But they
still don't know that having electronic stability control on their vehicle
could dramatically reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim. They
need to ask for it when purchasing a new vehicle.
"Electronic
stability control is a technology that is available today that helps
the driver maintain control, especially in highly dynamic situations
that lead to single vehicle crashes. The evidence of its effectiveness
is well-documented and compelling," Kozyra said.
A study by Mercedes
using German government data indicated that electronic stability control,
standard equipment on its vehicles since 1999, reduced single-vehicle
crashes (loss of control) by 29 percent and all kinds of crashes by
15 percent. Toyota found a 35 percent reduction in single-vehicle crashes
in Japan. Based on these and other international studies, Kozyra estimated
that electronic stability control could save between 5,000-8,500 lives
and $35 billion in economic losses yearly in this country.
"I think most
Americans would want those odds working in their favor," he said.
Electronic stability
control, manufactured by Continental Teves and several other companies,
is marketed under various trade names. Last June, the National Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB) recommended that it be made standard equipment on
vehicles in the U.S. if NHTSA reaches similar conclusions as researchers
abroad. NHTSA currently is studying its effectiveness.
"We encourage
NHTSA to expedite its study. Most of the deaths from rollovers could
be prevented if occupants used safety belts, and vehicles were equipped
with electronic stability control," Kozyra said.
For more information,
visit www.contitevesna.com.
Source: Continental
Teves
