Malaysia leads ASEAN with ESC mandate

Global parity on safety standards remains a distant target, but the industry is heading in the right direction. The ASEAN region took a big step forward on this front as Malaysia's government announced its intention to legislate for the introduction of electronic stability control (ESC) on all new vehicles by June 2018. This would make it the first ASEAN country to mandate this important safety technology, already required in Europe, the US and Japan for several years.

"We are pleased that the Malaysian government has taken this step. ESC will save thousands of lives in Malaysia," commented Professor Wong Shaw Voon, Director General of MIROS (Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research) and Chairman of ASEAN NCAP. "MIROS and ASEAN NCAP urge other countries in our region to follow suit and mandate this life saving technology."

As frontal collisions and loss of control are the main contributors behind fatal crashes in Malaysia (45.39%), the legislation should make a significant impact. Automotive World caught up with Professor Wong to hear more.