CTV News Montreal

Updated: Fri Oct. 09 2009 7:33:16 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

Electronic Stability Control is a new feature on many automobiles.

It's designed to help drivers stay in control when they need to swerve or brake suddenly.

Transport Canada would like the system to be on all passenger cars manufactured after September 1, 2011.

To see how much of a difference it makes, Consumer Reporter Tania Krywiak tried it out at the Consumer Reports auto test lab in East Haddam, Connecticut.

Tests done in the U.S. and Canada show cars equipped with ESC are involved in fewer crashes, and have a decrease in the number of deaths and injuries.

In her personal tests, Krywiak demonstrated that at 80 km/h, a car with ESC can quickly swerve left then right and stay on track.

With the system turned off, the same car goes into a wild skid when attempting the same maneuver.

David Champion, director of the Test Centre, believes ESC would be a great help to young drivers.

"Most teens drive a little bit too fast, they may be distracted, they get into a situation where the car starts to slide and they have no experience of what to do," said Champion.

ESC helps compensate for that lack of experience by monitoring the steering and direction of a car.

When they don't match, brakes are automatically applied or the engine's output is reduced.

ESC costs about $450 on same cars, although the price can rise when combined with luxury items.