To think electric car windows should have a manual over ride?

[RJnomore1]

I've been thinking about this after the poor Irish family this past week.

I know electric windows are the thing but is there a reason that a traditional manual winder cannot be put in place in at least the front windows as well!

[Frika]

I'm in Ireland visiting family at the moment, and have heard more conversations about what precise kind of hammer/other tool to keep in the glove compartment to break car windows than I can count.

Those poor people. I don't think they've been out of anyone's head since it happened.

[RJnomore1]

I don't think they have frika. I've seen several similar things over the years too although never so many people. I think the window winders are a good idea. I don't really get why electric windows are such "great" idea. The option to do both would surely suit everyone.

[VelvetCushion]

I agree OP, ive often thought it. If the electrics go then what?

[gamerchick]

Take the headrest out, shove one spike inbetween the window and the door and pull. It breaks the window.

[RJnomore1]

Why have to do that gamer? Why not just have a safety release built in?

Is this something we could start a petition on?

[Arkwright]

A child died near me a few years ago. The parents had left them in the car with the keys in the ignition. They put up the window with their head sticking out and couldn't release it. There should be some sort of manual override.

[gamerchick]

You won't forget it though In the meantime.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

I wouldn't rely on the headrest in a panic if my car had crashed and was filling with water. They're a bastard to shift at the best of times. I like the sound of the hammer though. They should be fitted as standard to every car. They wouldn't cost manufacturers much in the grand scheme of things. You get enough useless crap with cars nowadays as it is.

[RJnomore1]

Sorry gamer I didn't mean to sound snide it's good to know that. But not everyone will know or remember.

That's awful ark.

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

I went on a course 20 years ago on safety and it was suggested we buy a tool that is available in a major retailer. It has a point to break windows and a blade to cut seatbelts.
We've had them in our cars ever since.
Don't ever cut a seatbelt if you're upside down unless you're firmly braced or you will break your neck!

[Hairyfecker]

I have a hammer sold for this purpose in my car, it also has a cutter bit to cut through your seatbelt. I really should "practice" with it though as if I have to stop to read the instructions that would rather defeat the purpose.

[WONAR]

Giddy that tool sounds like something I would definitely like in my car; could you post the name, or where it can be bought? Thanks

[SimpleSimonThePieMan]

Wait until the car fully sinks and the pressure equalises then just open the doors. Mythbusters proved this can be done.

[Birdsgottafly]

Three of them did get out of the car, but died because of the temperature of the water and because they were wearing heavy winter clothing, so it's a bit crass to quote survival tips that are meaningless in these circumstances.

The man who saved the baby also had hold of one of the boys, but the current was too strong.

I hope he gets any help that he needs.

[Northernlurker]

I bought two hammers this week from Amazon. Not expensive. One for my car and one for dh's.

[Hairyfecker]

Wonar search on Amazon for "hammer and seatbelt cutter", there's a few. (Have obviously not tested mine out!)

[Palomb]

I've got one of those in my car and one upstairs in the house as we used to have to properly lock dss bedroom window and remove the key or he'd hang out of it. Breaking toughened or double glazed window glass it really hard.

[TondelayaDellaVentamiglia]

I watched the top gear version of the sinking car...Richard Hammond was the guineapig.

the upshot of which was, by all means wait for the pressure to equalise, because the handy frogman with scuba equipment will save you while you wait.

I hadn't heard any more about this incident since the original reports....how terrible for the guy who managed to save the baby, how brave he was to do something.

[booklooker]

Don't ever cut a seatbelt if you're upside down unless you're firmly braced or you will break your neck!

Well that's bollocks, well intentioned bollocks, but bollocks all the same.

[RubbleBubble00]

Would hammer work under water? It took mechanic 3 big swings with his huge hammer to break our car window when toddler dc got locked in by his brother.

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

Why do you say that book? It's basically what I was told in a fairly extreme safety demonstration.

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HALFORDS-EMERGENCY-ESCAPE-HAMMER-WITH-SEAT-BELT-CUTTER-NEW-WALL-MOUNT-BRACKET-/121407040676

something like this wonar

[TheseAreTheDays]

I read an article about this lately, and it said not to wait til the car sinks,as you don't know how deep the water might be or how long it might take you to get out of car and back to surface. It basically said as soon as you enter the water and start sinking take seatbelt off straight away, then release belts on any children - starting with eldest kids if they can then help younger kids - and then start working on getting a window open. It said not electrics should still work for a certain length of time,but if not then use something heavy to try smash glass,and always side window not windscreen due to stronger glass used. And it said never try to open door as even if you managed it would fill the car much quicker and therefore sink quicker.

[TheseAreTheDays]

Sorry it said that electrics should work for a few minutes.

[WONAR]

Thanks for the pointers Hairy and Giddy!