ESP reacts when a vehicle starts to skid and counteracts the movement, thus significantly increasing driving safety. Using information from a variety of sensors, ESP compares the direction the vehicle is moving in with the direction intended by the driver. If these do not agree, the vehicle is made to either under or over-steer. In a first response, ESP reduces engine power. If this does not do the trick, the system also applies braking to individual wheels - thus helping to keep the vehicle moving in the direction chosen by the driver.

Recent studies by DaimlerChrysler and Toyota confirm that people driving vehicles fitted with ESP cause significantly fewer accidents. In a study dating from 2002, DaimlerChrysler demonstrates that since ESP was fitted as standard in all Mercedes cars, their share of involvement in 'driving accidents' in Germany sank by a good 25%. 'Driving accidents' are defined as those accidents in which drivers lose control of their vehicle without any other external cause.

Toyota states the potential for increased safety is even higher. From its examination of around 1 million accidents involving personal injury, it came to the conclusion that the use of ESP could reduce the number of serious 'driving accidents' by half.

Over the next few years, Bosch will add a number of additional safety and convenience functions to its ESP system.