How Do Power Car Windows Increase Passenger Safety?

Power windows are responsible for approximately 2,000 emergency room visits every year. When a power window closes, it exerts enough force to bruise or break bones, crush fingers, or restrict an airway. Though power windows exert large amounts of force, they are still largely considered safer than manual car windows.

  1. Power windows can be controlled by the driver. No matter how many times you tell a misbehaving child to leave their power window switch alone, they may still keep pressing the button to open their window. The driver has a master set of window controls to close any window that is open on the car. This simple device saves lives and prevents injuries that could have occurred if a child tried to climb out the window. A manual window cannot be controlled by the driver in the same way.

  2. There is a window lock switch. If you have a small child or a dog that tends to press the power window switch accidentally, or if you want to make sure that an accident or crushing injury doesn’t occur by the power window, you can engage the power window lock. It is typically mounted on the driver’s power window controls or on the dashboard, and when it is engaged the rear windows will not open with the rear switches. The driver can still open and close the rear power windows with the master control and the front passenger can still operate their window normally.

  3. There is an anti-pinch device. The power window motor exerts massive force when a power window is being closed. In windows that use an express-up function, the window motor is equipped with an anti-pinch feature so the window will reverse if it encounters an obstruction like a child’s limb. Though it may still pinch, it will reverse directions before a serious crushing injury occurs.


The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Need Help With Your Car?

Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair.

GET A QUOTE

Related articles

Child Seat Safety Laws in Louisiana
In In the State of Louisiana, everyone who transports children in motor vehicles is subject to certain laws, which are based in common sense, and designed to protect children. Failure to obey the laws can result in penalties, but that...
Child Seat Safety Laws in Virginia
When When you secure your child in a properly installed child seat, you reduce his or her chances of being injured in a motor vehicle accident by 69%, and of being killed by 71%. It just makes sense to obey...
Child Seat Safety Laws in All States
Child seat safety laws are in place to keep children safe while riding in a car. Different seats are available according to their height and weight.

Related questions

Driver's power seat not moving forward or backward
The driver's seat will need to be repaired with the power seat motor repair kit. The kit requires the driver's seat track to be removed, and involves over three hours of work. The power window motor switches could be sticking....
Window not working
Hello! That is a problem that several owners of the 350Z have faced. I personally have repaired three 350Z windows, and all three had a malfunction of the driver's side window; in each case, the cause was the driver's side...
Window motor not working
If power is getting the motor but the window doesn't raise, suspect a problem with the regulator. When the window switch is pressed, power is sent to a DC motor. The motor is attached to a scissor-type device called the...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com