Electric Death Trap (8 photos)

A horrific tragedy occurred in western Germany, claiming the lives of a 43-year-old man and two 9-year-old children. The Tesla Model S they were in veered off the road and crashed into a tree. The collision caused a fire that quickly engulfed the vehicle. Tragically, the occupants were trapped in the flames, unable to escape.





Local residents who witnessed the accident immediately rushed to help. They desperately tried to extinguish the flames with whatever means they had, hoping to save the occupants of the burning car. However, their efforts were futile.

The fire spread too quickly, and they were unable to open the doors. Only one of the three children miraculously survived; he was immediately hospitalized with serious injuries.

The reason people were unable to escape the burning car is attributed to a design feature of Tesla vehicles – hidden door handles. Normally, these handles extend when the owner approaches or presses them.

However, it turns out that after a crash and power is lost, these handles automatically lock and remain hidden in the door frame, turning the car into a death trap.

The tragedy in Germany raises serious questions about the safety of Tesla vehicles and other vehicles with similar design features.

The potential risks associated with automatic door locking in an accident must be thoroughly studied and effective emergency release mechanisms developed to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Manufacturers should reconsider the design of hidden handles to ensure they can be opened in any vehicle condition after an accident.

It's important to remember that human safety must be a priority when developing new technologies and design solutions in the automotive industry.

China plans to completely ban the use of retractable (concealed) door handles in cars. The decision was prompted by concerns about the safety and functional shortcomings of this design. The ban is expected to take effect in July 2027, meaning new cars sold in China after that date will no longer be able to feature such designs.