Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC is encouraged by the Canadian Trucking Alliance's (CTA) recent announcement that it has asked all major North American heavy truck OEMs to make stability technology standard on all new commercial power vehicles.
The CTA recommendation is a powerful statement on the value of stability technology to help mitigate rollover incidents and is a strong first step in helping improve safety on Canadian highways. However, Bendix believes the action doesn't go far enough and has urged the CTA to revise its position to include a preference for full-stability technology. Bendix continues to advocate protection provided by full-stability technology, referred to as electronic stability control (ESC), and believes it should be the standard for all new commercial vehicles as it is on many OE tractor nameplates.
Full-stability technology, such as the Bendix ESP (Electronic Stability Program), is more comprehensive than roll-only stability options the CTA recommends. Unlike roll-only stability systems that impact select rollover situations, full-stability systems address both roll and directional stability. While roll-only options function optimally on dry surfaces, full-stability systems recognize and mitigate conditions that could lead to rollover and loss of control in a range of driving and road conditions, including wet, snow-, and ice-covered surfaces.