NHTSA Will Not Mandate Automatically-Reversing Windows
By Stephen Markley
March 5, 2015
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Last year, Congress had the agency study injuries and deaths from power windows to see if it should require cars to have power windows that reverse direction when they hit an obstruction.
The agency found that the regulation was unnecessary, largely because of a previous rule that took effect in October 2008. That regulation required automakers to use window switches that must be pulled up in order to open a window. These switches will prevent 50%-75% of all power window-related fatalities, according to the NHTSA.
The agency speculates that power windows are responsible for six deaths and 1,955 injuries each year. Automatic-reversing power windows would cost automakers $6 to $12 per window.
The greater safety threat is from one-touch windows, though, and nearly all one-touch window systems now have automatic-reversing requirements.