Jean Todt, the former CEO of Ferrari, has been elected as the new President of eSafetyAware, the Brussels based non-profit international organisation which promotes intelligent vehicle safety technologies. As President Jean Todt will lead the campaign to promote consumer awareness of eSafety technologies like Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
eSafetyAware President Jean Todt said: "The use of intelligent vehicle technologies will make cars safer than ever before. There is no reason why consumers shouldn't benefit from these life saving eSafety systems. I am very pleased to join this work as I believe that there are many opportunities to be exploited when it comes to promotion of vehicle safety equipment which ultimately benefits the car users."
In Europe alone almost 40,000 persons are killed in traffic every year and more than 1 million injured. New cars today are much safer than they were 10-15 years ago thanks to improved crash test standards, crumple zones, seatbelts, and air bags which help protect occupants in a crash. Now a new generation of safety systems like ESC can prevent accidents from happening in the first place. If all cars in the EU used ESC it is estimated that at least 4,000 lives a year could be saved and avoid more than 100,000 injuries. Currently just over half on new cars in the EU are equipped with ESC. That is why it is so important that consumers understand the benefits of a simple low cost system like ESC.
In emerging vehicle markets like China use of ESC is much lower and an even greater challenge is to increase awareness of the safety potential of eSafety technologies. eSafetyAware is, therefore, pleased to announce that Jean Todt's first task in this new position will be to speak at the launch of a Chinese ESC campaign in Beijing 16 April 2009. The event will be part of the Chinese effort to promote eSafety deployment and participants will get the chance to experience ESC by driving with Rally Champion Jin Gang in an ESC equipped car.
Later this year Jean Todt will host the first annual eSafety Challenge (www.eSafetyChallenge.eu) which will be held on 8 & 9 September in Vallelunga, near Rome, Italy. The Challenge, organised jointly with the Automobile Club of Italy, will feature demonstrations by Formula One drivers of new vehicle safety technologies, including ESC, Blind Spots Monitoring, Lane Support Systems, Speed Alert, and Warning and Emergency Braking Systems.
Download press release  pdf (74 KB)
|
