Ban electronic switch operated vehicle door releases on public safety grounds

70
signatures
closedDepartment for TransportOpened 20 November 2025Closed 20 May 2026

Background

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.

Additional details

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.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.

Source: UK Government & Parliament Petitions service. Petition ID: 746740.