The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will initiate proceedings on Thursday to establish new regulations, aiming to mandate all new motor vehicles to be equipped with robust and visible door escape systems. This move seeks to address the issue of individuals being trapped and injured or killed in vehicles like Teslas, which are fitted with flush-mounted electric door handles, in the event of power loss (including after collisions). Previously, in at least 12 Tesla collision and fire incidents, at least 15 people died because the doors could not be opened. Despite internal concerns being raised, Musk persisted with the electric door design.
