Proposed Law Takes Aim at Unsafe Electronic Car Door Handles
Fail-safes for getting in and out of cars in an emergency may soon be required
A new bill aims to address growing safety concerns with electronic car door handles that may not function properly if a vehicle loses power or is involved in a crash.
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Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
“When crashes or power loss leave drivers and passengers trapped inside their own cars, that is not innovation—it’s a safety failure,” Kelly said in a press release.
The problem isn’t limited to just Tesla vehicles, either, because drivers of some Cadillac and Rivian models have reported getting trapped inside vehicles. And vehicles from Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Fiat, Ford, Genesis, Lexus, Lincoln, Maserati, and Volvo also use electronic door handles, with varying degrees of complexity. In some models, overriding the electronic latch is as simple as pulling twice or pulling more forcefully. By comparison, opening the rear doors of the Tesla Model X manually requires removing a speaker grille and pulling on a release cable before pushing the door up—a complex task that may not be apparent in an emergency situation.
In addition to safety concerns, CR has heard from owners who are frustrated with how electronic door handles operate, especially when carrying passengers who are unfamiliar with the vehicle.
If the SAFE Exit Act is enacted, the details would be developed by NHTSA following a public comment process in which manufacturers, emergency responders, safety experts, and the general public could provide input.
@consumerreports Keith Barry, autos reporter at CR, shares why drivers of some modern vehicles should learn where emergency door releases are located—before they need them. #cartok #carsoftiktok #cartips
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