Petition · Department for Transport
Ban electronic switch operated vehicle door releases on public safety grounds
Closed
70 signatures
What the petition asks
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.
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.
Timeline
| 20 Nov 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 20 May 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
70
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Transport
Opened
20 Nov 2025
Closed
20 May 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 16 Aug 2026.