Canada proposes compulsary ESC from 1 September 2011

On 14 March 2009 Canada proposed a new safety regulation, requiring that Electronic Stability Control (ESC) be installed as standard equipment on all passenger cars, multi-purpose vehicles, trucks and buses with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 4536 kg or less and manufactured on or after 1 September 2011.

Data gathered by Transport Canada indicates that vehicles equipped with ESC were involved in approximately 30% fewer severe collisions involving loss of control than non-ESC equipped vehicles. Based on 2006 collision data, if all passenger vehicles were equipped with ESC, there would be at least 225 fewer deaths and 755 fewer people seriously injured on our roads each year.

"Our government recognizes that Electronic Stability Control technology saves lives," said Canada's Transport Minister, John Baird. "This safety feature is already available on many new models, and it goes hand in hand with increasing the safety of Canadians and improving the quality of life for drivers and their passengers."

The proposed regulation was published in the Canada Gazette. A 75-day response period follows, when interested parties may provide their comments to Transport Canada.

For more information:

- Proposed Regulation  pdf (1.3 MB)

- Technical Standards Document No 126  pdf (149 KB)

- Transport Canada, ESC website