LUCAS BACKS SMART CARS.

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, has congratulated Australian motoring giants for their commitment to improving road safety.

“This month, two of Australia’s biggest selling car makers have make Electronic Stability Control (ESC) a standard inclusion on cheaper but popular models.

“Life saving ESC technology is no-longer an optional extra available only on prestige cars – it’s debuted in base model family sedans and the great Aussie ute.

“Holden has this week added ESC to every model in its ute line-up after establishing the technology as standard safety equipment on every Commodore sedan model.

“From the Altise to the luxury Grande, Toyota now has ESC fitted to the Camry range of family sedans.

“Electronic Stability Control is also a basic feature of Toyota’s Commodore challenger, the Aurion.

“This is an important automotive milestone, ESC has the potential to be just as important to road safety as seat belts and the introduction of random breath testing.

“ESC is intuitive technology with the ability to reduce the risk of drivers losing control by sensing when the car skids or swerves suddenly.

“It automatically stabilises the vehicle by applying a precise amount of brake pressure to individual wheels and modifying engine revs.

“Overseas studies have demonstrated ESC’s potential to reduce single vehicle crashes by 35% and head on collisions by 30%.

Mr Lucas said consumer pressure is driving the shift to wider use of Electronic Stability Control on Australian roads.

“New car buyers, including the Queensland Government, are voting with their feet.

“Almost 5,590 Commodores and more than 2,600 Camrys are sold nationwide every month.

“Buyers now expect basic safety technology like ESC as standard along side air conditioning, power steering and an MP3 capable six speaker stereo.

“As a fleet buyer the Queensland Government is playing a part in the push for wholesale adoption of ESC technology.

“Since testing this remarkable technology I’ve been encouraging car makers through the Australian Transport Council to make ESC available in all passenger vehicles.

“ESC has joined the State Government’s list of preferred options on new vehicle purchases.

“In terms of utes, the Transport and Main Roads departments run more than 330 of them which amounts to buying power and leverage for change.

“The pressure is now on Ford and Mitsubishi to include ESC across their range.

“I’m hoping in the not too distant future we’ll be seeing the technology become standard in base model top selling smaller cars like the Corolla and Astra,” Mr Lucas said.

Media contact: Darren Roberts 32371947 / 0448 184566.