"Bloomberg News has reported extensively on modern door systems losing power unexpectedly, including after crashes. The investigation turned up at least 15 deaths in a dozen incidents in which occupants or rescuers were unable to open the doors of a Tesla that had crashed and caught fire. Bloomberg also reported that Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk insisted on electric doors even after potential safety concerns were raised internally."
"A US lawmaker is proposing legislation that would require manual door releases in new cars, a move to address growing safety concerns with the type of electrically powered handles popularized by Tesla Inc. The measure from Representative Robin Kelly, an Illinois Democrat, calls for automobiles with electric door systems to include a clearly labeled mechanical latch that is intuitive to use and readily accessible for the occupant. It would also require means for first responders to gain access to vehicles when power is lost."
A proposed U.S. law would mandate manual door releases in new cars equipped with electrically powered door handles. Automobiles with electric door systems must include a clearly labeled, intuitive mechanical latch readily accessible to occupants. The proposal would also require mechanisms enabling first responders to access vehicles when electrical power is lost. Concerns stem from multiple incidents where occupants or rescuers could not open doors after crashes and fires, including at least 15 deaths across a dozen incidents linked to one manufacturer’s vehicles. The measure, named the Securing Accessible Functional Emergency Exit (SAFE) Exit Act, is slated for a January hearing.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]