Should cars be equipped with an "escape" mechanism in case of water immersion?

[lightbulb27]

Many laws are passed to provide for safety features/security in cars. One not required by law (to my knowledge) is a method, training how to get out of a car when it goes in the water.

It's up to the purchaser to buy one of these. I suspect most people haven't thought about what to do if their car goes in the water and sinks nor purchased a device.

Here's the advice for getting out of the car. Note that may be possible to use the metal part of a headrest to break the window; however, many cars have stronger glass these days and it may not break as easily as it did 20 years ago.

https://www.wwno.org/npr-news/ 2024-03-26/what-to-do-if-your- vehicle-is-submerged-in-water

300 people drown in cars each year in the USA. Some of these may be intentional.

Yes

No

Maybe

[DryGermanGuy]

As useful as it would be to have that knowledge, I assume that 95+% of drivers don’t drive near larger bodies of water. I would also say it’s something you‘d have to train repeatedly. I completed a first aid course 25 years ago and have since most of it forgotten.

[lightbulb27]

note in this case, it was a small river next to the road. We have small lakes/streaks all over the place in USA. A billionaire died not long ago after driving her Tesla into a lake by accident.

I agree, would need repetitive training. Frankly... we should have more strict licensing IMHO due to phone use/distractions.

If you get a cut or bee sting, I know how to treat that.

[NathanDavis]

they should be, but...

the lawsuits would sink ships...

[Beckybooboo]

I may be wrong but I heard that all headrests can be pulled out and used to break the window. That's what they're designed to do. My Yukon is like that, I actually pulled it out and there's two long metal spikes on the bottom.

[Beckybooboo]

Nevermind, I saw you had mentioned that 🙄 I'm a true blonde. I can't believe it, I even read what you wrote before commenting.

[lightbulb27]

There are metal spikes on all cars I've seen. I doubt is designed for that and as well, might be hard to get unbuckled, remove headrest in time to smack window before water slows down the action. Would need an explosive charge.
As well, I read some windows now are stronger glass... for safety purposes.

[Beckybooboo]

To be honest, I feel they would just bounce off the window. It's not like taking a hammer with a flat solid striker on it and being able to get a good swing.

[NoDecision]

The windows were open/broken, so why couldn't they have gotten out unless they were unconscious? You have to wonder if some of these were driven in purposely in a suicide pact?

[lightbulb27]

You'd have to watch the video to know... they windows were all secured and shut. They must have broken the windows to remove the bodies before taking the car out of the water.
Think about how fast it would happen, esp if intoxicated. Splash in the water, car might flip over and start to sink. Battery shorts (old crank windows come in handy!)... so can't open door or window. Almost no time to pull a headrest and crack a window.
Yes, some were depressed people and suicide. Given the road close to the river, a turn... likely the driver lost focus and went in water. May have been no guardrail back then.

[NoDecision]

Just seems funny that so many of them have happened.

[lightbulb27]

yes, some portion are suicide, quite a few. A strange way to want to die.

[Spencer10]

Thats not a terrible idea. It could be as simple as a way to break a window to allow escape.

[Redstang88]

People can’t even figure out turn signals, what’s the point? I think you’re giving the general population far too much credit