Closed petition: Ban electronic switch operated vehicle door releases on public safety grounds

Closed on 20 May 2026

Ban the rapidly emerging public safety issue of electronic switch operated interior door releases on vehicles where their failure can result in serious injuries or death. We think this formerly pure mechanical feature has been overlooked and potentially misunderstood by regulators.

A rising number of incidents have been reported globally where people including young children have been trapped in vehicles that have burst into flames before passersby, police or first responders could break the glass and rescue them.

Hidden 'emergency' releases are little use in a panic situation where instinct of the normal release method prevails and wastes critical time.

Young children in a car are reliant on others in the vehicle to escape and promptly remove them.