How Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) works
You either have it or you don’t. ESP is probably one of the most important safety features to arrive on the scene since the introduction of seatbelts. Until you’ve actually driven a vehicle with and without ESP on a test track and compared the differences, it’s difficult to understand exactly how important this device is. Each manufacturer has their own name for an equivalent system an explaination of some of these is here For those...
Tyres and Safety
Tyres are a key component of the safety of any vehicle and the condition of tyres is a vital factor in preventing road accidents. It is worth remembering that the only part of a vehicle touching the road are the tyres and acceleration, braking, steering and cornering all depend on them. Neglected tyres can lead to devastating consequences. Tyres have four basic functions to perform: 1. Transferring traction and braking forces to the...
Road Side Breakdown
Sooner or later it happens to everyone — you’re driving along in your car, usually in the middle of nowhere, and for no apparent reason your car stalls and you find yourself frantically looking for a place to park. So what should or can you do? First, don’t panic. Be certain that you park as far off the roadway as possible and turn on your hazard lights, call 112, and tell them you have broken down and are a woman on...
Vehicle Recalls
Motor vehicles are legally required to be manufactured in such a way as to be sufficiently safe and environmentally acceptable for road use. In some cases vehicles may be subject to a recall What is a vehicle recall A European wide system of approval, known as type approval is essentially a series of stringent tests that a vehicle, or part of a vehicle (e.g. its brakes), must pass before it is allowed use on a public road. A vehicle...
The National Car Test
What is the NCT? Introduced in 2000, the National Car Test (NCT) is a preventative road safety measure that ensures vehicles, particularly older vehicles, using Irish roads are in sound working order. All member states of the European Union are required to test the roadworthiness of motor vehicles. In Ireland, the testing system is run by the National Car Testing Service (NCTS).A record 893,664 cars were tested by NCTS in 2010 and...
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