DSMLVR
02-10-2007, 11:03 AM
NHTSA to require two latches on sliding van doors
Posted Feb 9th 2007 1:31PM by Frank Filipponio
Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Safety
What's $7 when a child's life might be at stake? That's the apparent message from the NHTSA to carmakers that build vehicles with sliding doors -- basically minivans. On Tuesday the NHTSA announced that these types of vehicles will now require a secondary latch to help prevent sliding doors from popping open in an accident and potentially expelling occupants. Nearly half of the 1.4 million vans sold in 2003 would be affected. Statistics on unbelted motorists being ejected from a vehicle are cited as reasons why this move is necessary. According to the Detroit News, 54,000 people are ejected in accidents each year, 15% through doors. That resulted in 20 deaths and 30 serious injuries annually from 1995 through 2003, the period under investigation.
[Source: Detroit News]
The NHTSA believes seven lives will be saved (and 4 serious injuries prevented) each year by adding the secondary latch, which they think should cost just $7 to fit to the sliders. And seeing as how children tend to make up the bulk of the rear seat passengers, this is really aimed at protecting them. Sentimental enough for you yet? While we would never question the judgment of the NHTSA or risk endangering motorists (especially children), and the price of the secondary latch seems a pittance, we'll point out here that even at $7 a pop, that's another $8.4 million minivan makers will have to cough up each year. And automakers have already complained that "major structural modifications to B-pillars and doors" will also be necessary to meet the requirements.
We'll now take this opportunity to note that the stats seemingly refer to UNBELTED passengers. Draw your own conclusions about parents leaving unbelted children in the back of their minivans, and where personal responsibility lies.
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February 7, 2007
Feds: Van doors need 2 latches
David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday upgraded safety requirements for vehicle door latches in a move that will require sliding doors on minivans to have a second latch.
NHTSA has been concerned about doors opening during crashes as it focuses on preventing the ejection of unbelted motorists. More than 54,000 people are ejected each year from vehicles, and 15 percent are ejected through doors. Between 1995 and 2003, 20 people died and 30 were injured annually after sliding doors opened during accidents.
The new requirement will save seven lives annually and four injuries will be "reduced in severity as a result of remaining inside the vehicle, NHTSA estimates.
Most at risk are children.
"Individuals with the greatest exposure to sliding door failures are children. Children sit in the back of vehicles in disproportionately high numbers," NHTSA's rule said. "We do not believe this exposure is acceptable."
The final rule, NHTSA said, "essentially requires sliding doors to have two latches." In 2003, 1.4 million vans were sold with sliding doors; of those, 660,000 vans don't meet the new upgraded test. Adding a second latch will cost an average of $7 per door at an annual cost of $8.4 million.
Automakers said the upgrade will require major structural modifications to B-pillars and doors. The new rule takes effect Sept. 1, 2009.
You can reach David Shepardson at (202) 662-8735 or dshepardson@detnews.com.
Posted Feb 9th 2007 1:31PM by Frank Filipponio
Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Safety
What's $7 when a child's life might be at stake? That's the apparent message from the NHTSA to carmakers that build vehicles with sliding doors -- basically minivans. On Tuesday the NHTSA announced that these types of vehicles will now require a secondary latch to help prevent sliding doors from popping open in an accident and potentially expelling occupants. Nearly half of the 1.4 million vans sold in 2003 would be affected. Statistics on unbelted motorists being ejected from a vehicle are cited as reasons why this move is necessary. According to the Detroit News, 54,000 people are ejected in accidents each year, 15% through doors. That resulted in 20 deaths and 30 serious injuries annually from 1995 through 2003, the period under investigation.
[Source: Detroit News]
The NHTSA believes seven lives will be saved (and 4 serious injuries prevented) each year by adding the secondary latch, which they think should cost just $7 to fit to the sliders. And seeing as how children tend to make up the bulk of the rear seat passengers, this is really aimed at protecting them. Sentimental enough for you yet? While we would never question the judgment of the NHTSA or risk endangering motorists (especially children), and the price of the secondary latch seems a pittance, we'll point out here that even at $7 a pop, that's another $8.4 million minivan makers will have to cough up each year. And automakers have already complained that "major structural modifications to B-pillars and doors" will also be necessary to meet the requirements.
We'll now take this opportunity to note that the stats seemingly refer to UNBELTED passengers. Draw your own conclusions about parents leaving unbelted children in the back of their minivans, and where personal responsibility lies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 7, 2007
Feds: Van doors need 2 latches
David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday upgraded safety requirements for vehicle door latches in a move that will require sliding doors on minivans to have a second latch.
NHTSA has been concerned about doors opening during crashes as it focuses on preventing the ejection of unbelted motorists. More than 54,000 people are ejected each year from vehicles, and 15 percent are ejected through doors. Between 1995 and 2003, 20 people died and 30 were injured annually after sliding doors opened during accidents.
The new requirement will save seven lives annually and four injuries will be "reduced in severity as a result of remaining inside the vehicle, NHTSA estimates.
Most at risk are children.
"Individuals with the greatest exposure to sliding door failures are children. Children sit in the back of vehicles in disproportionately high numbers," NHTSA's rule said. "We do not believe this exposure is acceptable."
The final rule, NHTSA said, "essentially requires sliding doors to have two latches." In 2003, 1.4 million vans were sold with sliding doors; of those, 660,000 vans don't meet the new upgraded test. Adding a second latch will cost an average of $7 per door at an annual cost of $8.4 million.
Automakers said the upgrade will require major structural modifications to B-pillars and doors. The new rule takes effect Sept. 1, 2009.
You can reach David Shepardson at (202) 662-8735 or dshepardson@detnews.com.