Earlier, crashworthiness of a vehicle was the primary focus of an engineer while determining a vehicle's inherent safety. However, with the popularity of newer vehicles like sports utility vehicles (SUVs) that have a tendency to rollover during an accident, automobile safety experts increasingly stress the importance of traction control mechanisms in vehicles to reduce the risk of an accident in the first place.

Traction refers to the grip of a vehicle's tires on the road. This grip is necessary especially during acceleration, turning and braking.  The absence of grip causes the vehicle to skid when the driver attempts to increase speed, make a turns or apply the brakes.  Lack of grip on the road is especially risky during bad weather. In conditions of snow, ice and rain it is easier for a driver to lose control of the vehicle while turning or braking, potentially causing a rollover accident.  When the car comes with a traction control system, this loss of grip is prevented, making for a safe ride.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents are some of the most serious automobile crashes. Vehicles that are especially prone to such accidents include SUVs, pickup trucks and mini-vans. This is because these vehicles are designed with a high center gravity that can cause the motorist to lose control of the vehicle if brakes are applied at moderate or high speeds, or when a tire blows out. In addition to the high center of gravity, SUVs tend to be longer and narrower in shape, and come with a narrow tire track. Every year, approximately 10,000 people are killed in rollover crashes, accounting for more than 30% of all automobile fatalities. Rollover accidents were pushed into the spotlight in 2001 during the recalls of millions of Ford Explorers. Although many of these Explorer-related accidents have been partially linked to the use of defective tires, the design of the SUV has contributed significantly to these statistics.

Electronic Stability Control

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems make use of computer technology to control braking systems and enable drivers to retain control of the vehicle. These systems have the ability to prevent loss of grip and control, thus preventing a rollover accident.

Installation of an ESC system can reduce the likelihood of a rollover accident by up to 80%. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has urged automobile companies to make installation of these ESC systems standard features in all their vehicles. As a result, some SUV manufacturers have now installed ESC systems on new models, but these continue to remain optional features.  The NHTSA is considering making an ESC system mandatory on all SUV-type vehicles in order to prevent such accidents.