Safety warning: ADAC advises classic door handles

Electric cars in particular stand out with their modern look. But even if the design may be cool, it can also have its pitfalls. For example, the ADAC now officially warns against buying vehicles with retractable door handles.

ADAC issues warning

Modern cars also need modern equipment. This applies to both the interior and the exterior. One stylish trick that many car manufacturers are using these days is fully retractable door handles that are extended electrically when the driver approaches. The whole thing should not only look cool, but also provide more range.

Manufacturers such as Tesla, Hyundai and Kia explain that their door handles, which visually merge with the bodywork, are also intended to improve the streamlining of the car. After all, they ensure less wind resistance. However, from the ADAC’s point of view, this end does not seem to justify the means. After all, the association sees this as a real safety risk. When issuing its warning, the automobile club primarily has accident scenarios in mind.

Here, seconds count. Retractable door handles are a real obstacle for the emergency services, making the rescue much more complicated. In a press release, the ADAC states that it is “important for first responders to be able to quickly rescue people from an accident vehicle […]” that “a vehicle can be opened quickly, easily and intuitively” from the outside.

Classic door handles are best

You can imagine the problems this poses in practice for emergency services. They don’t have time to think about how to open the door handle in a heated rescue situation. For the vehicle occupants, this means that the rescue is delayed. Sometimes the rescuers are even forced to find other ways into the vehicle.

For example, they have to break windows in order to free the occupants. This is not only complex and time-consuming. On top of that, the accident victim’s injuries can be made even worse. According to the ADAC, it is therefore best to use mechanical door handles. These can always be opened.

But there is also a compromise. For example, many VW vehicles now use recessed door handles, which nevertheless have an engagement mechanism. Ultimately, the vehicle benefits from the same streamlined shape, but the door can be opened as with a classic mechanical door handle thanks to the recess behind the handle.