Representative Robin Kelly introduced the 'Securing Accessible Functional Emergency Exit Act,' or 'SAFE Exit Act.' This legislation targets electric vehicle door safety, directly addressing concerns with designs popularized by Tesla.
The bill mandates that new vehicles featuring electric door systems must include a clearly labeled, intuitive mechanical latch for manual release. Furthermore, the legislation requires a method for first responders to access vehicles following a loss of power.
This action follows numerous reports, including an investigation by Bloomberg News. These reports documented incidents where occupants were trapped—sometimes fatally—inside crashed Tesla vehicles that had lost power. The proposed regulations underscore growing scrutiny over modern vehicle designs that rely on electronic systems for core functions like door operation.