Auto Safety Bill Targeting Electric Doors Advances in US House

Article content(Bloomberg) — US lawmakers agreed to advance an automotive safety bill that would require manual door releases in new vehicles with electric handles, bringing the measure that could impact designs popularized by Tesla Inc. a step closer to becoming law.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentThe Securing Accessible Functional Emergency Exit Act, or SAFE Exit Act, was forwarded to full committee during a markup session Tuesday by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It still has to pass a number of legislative hurdles and may not be ultimately signed into law.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentThe bill, introduced last month by Representative Robin Kelly, an Illinois Democrat, aims to address safety concerns following numerous incidents in which people were injured or died after they became trapped inside a vehicle with electric handles that stopped functioning.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentBloomberg News has reported extensively on the modern door systems, including an investigation that found at least 15 deaths in a dozen incidents where occupants or rescuers couldn’t open the doors of a Tesla that crashed and caught fire.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation in September into whether the doors are defective in certain Tesla Model Y SUVs, and in December opened a probe into emergency releases in Tesla Model 3 vehicles.Article content“People are dying right now,” Michigan Representative Debbie Dingell said during the Tuesday House session. “As more vehicles rely on electronic door latches, we have to make sure there’s always a clear manual backup when these systems fail.”Article contentThe new bill would require automobiles with electric door systems to have a clearly labeled and readily accessible mechanical latch that is intuitive to use. It also calls for a means for first responders to be able to access vehicles upon loss of power.Article contentKelly warned that the US is falling behind on the issue of door safety compared to China and the European Union. China recently passed a bill banning concealed door handles in electric vehicles, the first country to outlaw the design.Article contentFlorida Congressman Gus Bilirakis said he agreed with the intent of the legislation, but argued it should allow safety experts to conduct research to set smart and flexible standards to avoid unintended consequences. Article contentTrending John Manley: Why Canada needs to play it cool on CUSMA — and keep its options open Economy As Cuba fuel crisis deepens, Canadians on the ground remain in vacation mode News 'Escape hatches are gone': Power of sale listings surge in Toronto Real Estate Posthaste: Debt loads hit record as Canadians in financial distress pile loans on top of loans News Opinion: The rupture is here: Why Canada needs an economic security act like Japan's Economy Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. John Manley: Why Canada needs to play it cool on CUSMA — and keep its options open Economy As Cuba fuel crisis deepens, Canadians on the ground remain in vacation mode News 'Escape hatches are gone': Power of sale listings surge in Toronto Real Estate Posthaste: Debt loads hit record as Canadians in financial distress pile loans on top of loans News Opinion: The rupture is here: Why Canada needs an economic security act like Japan's Economy