this post was submitted on 24 Jun 2024
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There should really be a law, requiring a certain list of mechanical things to exist on the car. So far, it's only the emergency turn signals, and what, the mirrors? The door handles absolutely need to be on that list
At least one door should open via a mechanical key and mechanical handle from the outside, and I firmly believe the internal door handles should all function mechanically as well. There shouldn't be "usually you use a button but in an emergency this thing that looks like a bit of trim is the actual mechanical handle" that shouldn't be allowable by code.
I saw a clip on Just Rolled In where a lady in a Lexus thought she was trapped in her car when the electrics failed, as did the firefighters who broke her window, despite there being manual releases on both the inside and the outside of the car.
I spent enough time in aviation to know how much drilling it actually takes to teach people emergency procedures. If it's different than what they usually do, it takes hours of practice. Even something as simple as finding and pulling a different door latch. If you're stressed, even as stressed as "the doors won't open the way I'm used to them otherwise everything is okay" your brain will just fail to pivot to the alternate procedures.
Cars got so simple to use in the 90's. Sure they were simpler machines in the 60's but fuel injection eliminated chokes and other carburetor issues, automatic transmissions became ubiquitous, children can handle vehicles of this complexity. And now we're making them more complicated for no actual reason, with electric door latches with manual backups and such, and it's causing problems.
I agree, the main handle you use on the interior and exterior of the vehicle should be PHYSICALLY connected to the latch. Seems like a pretty simple rule to make and enforce and seems pretty common sense.
I have a 61 f100 with shaved doors that only opens electronically from the outside with a fob, but I didn't build it to be a grocery getter with my wife and kids in it. I know the risks. And the hood opens without having to get into the cab so I can easily access the battery if it's dead.