Sideways on the ice, in a supercar: Stability control is getting very good

"Thankfully, fewer and fewer drivers will have to experience that kind of scare thanks to the proliferation and sophistication of modern electronic stability and traction control systems. For more than 30 years, these electronic safety nets have grown in capability and became mandatory in the early 2010s, saving countless crashes in the process. Through a combination of cutting engine power and individually braking each wheel, the computers that keep a watchful eye on things like lateral acceleration and wheel spin"

"Obviously, the quickest way to find out whether this all works is to turn it off. And then find a slippery road, or just drive like an oaf. Yet even when automakers let journalists loose on racetracks, they invariably require that we keep some of the electronic safety net turned on. Even on track, you can hit things that will crumple a car-or worse-and with modern tire technology being what it is, the speeds involved when cars do let go tend to be quite high,"

Rear-end slides can feel exhilarating when expected but induce anxiety and danger when unexpected. Modern electronic stability and traction control systems have matured over 30 years and became mandatory in the early 2010s, preventing countless crashes. These systems combine engine power reduction and selective wheel braking while monitoring lateral acceleration and wheel spin to keep cars following driver input instead of departing the intended path. Testing these systems requires turning them off and using wide, obstacle-free areas with very low grip so limits can be explored safely. Racetracks often mandate that some electronic safety aids remain active because high grip and modern tires raise potential speeds and consequences.

Read at Ars Technica