In case you thought cars would become safer as technology developed… rest assured, Tesla is finding newer and ever-dumber ways to make their cars dangerous to occupants (and others).
TL;DR: If you’re in a Tesla and it loses power (like in a fire), the only way to open the doors is often an unlabeled wire behind either two panels or a speaker grill. Tesla owners are DIYing janky rip cords to make that wire easier to pull to escape.
It wasn’t an oversight, it is a feature because manual door pulls are old fashioned and not as cool.
Electronic windows were an improvement over hand cranked, but the doors could still be opened. Though I do wonder if they have ever been the cause of a loss of life.
I agree that this design should have never passed any safety board. That the ability to open the door can be disabled or made much more difficult.
To your wondering, read the article, and treat yourself to knowing!
TL;DR: Yes, at least 12 people have been trapped in burning Teslas where they were alive after a wreck but unable to escape.
I think they were referring to electric windows, but it is ambiguous in context.
Aw lord, you’re right. I didn’t read that original comment close enough, thought they were talking about the door releases. Thanks for the heads up.
Six lives a year
That’s terrifying. It is a low number, but that it is non zero and the presence of a manual control would change the outcome is not good.
Of course you could find an old car with manual windows, but that would lack quite a few other safety features that have saved many more lives.
Starting to get on the fuck cars bandwagon, just wish I lived somewhere where that was an option.
Absolutely, I think there were more than a few cars that ended up in the water where the occupant couldn’t roll down the window and the water pressure kept the door closed. That’s why in the 90s there was a huge market for window hammers and they had regular “how to get out of your car” PSAs. I think it was absolutely over blown and maybe only a few cases where someone died, but it was real.