Re: Premature Ejection Worry!

Posted by Peter Packard On 2009/1/23 5:55:15

G'day all, I am sure that this was a reasonably hot topic amongst the designers of the "suicide door" concept. I am yet to hear of any fatalities from the inherient door design, although there have probably been many fatalities from exiting a car with suicide doors at any speed, the end result would have been regardless of the door design. To me it is similar to being in Vietnam in a UH-1B helicopter in 1968 with the sliding side doors open and the fear of falling out as it bucked around. This fear doesn't normally result in an actual exit incident.
The unfortunate fall-out of the young girl did not specify if she held onto the door, which would almost certainly pull her out.
I have a few cars with suicide doors and try to educate occupants to engage the door handle in the "lock" position when travelling, just in case.
Nowadays we have to be very cautious in carrying people unfamiliar with older design concepts, sort of the reverse to what you have to teach old farts such as myself about new concepts, such as wireless broadand and GPS units. I personally hate the concept of electric windows, without the ability to open the windows if the ignition is switched off. Best Regards Peter Toet