Rep. Kelly introduces bill addressing Tesla, electric vehicle door releases

Finally we desperately need to ban retractable door handles and electric door buttons

Retractable can be safe; several other automakers do one that's physically moved with a person's hand and no need for electronics to be working. It's just the Tesla version where you need to disassemble the floor or door to get out that kills people.

A recall for all problematic cars should be required

Careful, that’ll cause the stock to go up

Elon will pay enough money to get the bill killed

let it go up, the fall will be so much more dramatic that way.

How about a bill that says all consumer products must be proven to be safe and not cause death or life-altering injuries before being made available for sale to the public.

I was in an older Model 3 today and felt around the back door pocket and there's nothing there. My 2022 MYLR has a little trap door hidden under the rubber mat and under the plastic panel but something is there. I'm absolutely not defending it because it's of no any use to anyone.

But but all the safety measures are under one of the rugs or deep inside the screen /s

I'm certain electric doors could be designed in a manner where they automatically switch to a mechanical actuation in the event of power loss. But why?! So needlessly complex

Some cars already do that, the normal pull handle has two positions.  Pull it normally and it unlatches the door electronically, pull it harder and it mechanically unlocks the door.  That way there is no fishing around, just doing the same motion you do every time to open the door, but with a bit more force.

Yup - my Kia EV9 has retractable door handles. You can still forcibly pull them out from the outside in an emergency or if the power is out. And it’s all mechanically connected, no electronic switch bullshit.

Other manufacturers already do. I think Lexus, for instance, has electronic doors in some of their vehicles but if you continue to pull harder on the handle, it’s mechanical and opens the door. My Kia has retractable handles, but they can be pulled out and opened fairly easily in the event of power loss. And again, they are connected mechanically to the door’s latch.

Front seats have a mechanical opener but the back seats are a death trap.

What to do about the Cybertruck? It has no exterior door handles. It really shouldn't pass a road worthy certificate if your vehicle has no door handles.

Change the entire door?

Just like Tesla crash victims.

Absolutely  It be an overreaction after doing nothing for too long

Now do something about those laser focused headlights!

THIS!! How can regulators ignore this?? Oh, wait! MONEY!

UBER and Lyft should ban cars without easy egress from the backseat during emergencies for putting passengers at unnecessary risk

Killing the agencies responsible for enforcing safety standards is more his style

Tesla probably did a study on the cost to pay victim's families versus making any design changes. Like Ford did with the Pinto. Public outcry eventually lead to Ford discontinuing the Pinto.

The fact they have steer by wire cars is terrifying.

It’s a good idea except it will only effect 1% of Teslas