Interpretation ID: aiam1248
Jr.
Auto Safety Research Center
613 Oak Street
Columbus
OH 43216;
Dear Mr. Russell: This is in response to your letter of June 27, 1973, which request information on the requirements of Standard 206, *Door Locks and Door Retention Components*, and suggests that door locking mechanisms should prevent operation of the inside and outside handles (latch release controls) of both front and rear doors.; The standard presently requires that engagement of the front-doo locking mechanism on passenger cars, multi-purpose passenger vehicles, and trucks render the outside door handle (latch release control) inoperative. On passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles, engagement of the rear- door locking mechanism must render both inside and outside handles inoperative. Your suggestion that inside door handles also be rendered inoperative was proposed in 1967 as an initial standard, but it was determined at that time that ease of escape in the event of accident made one-step operation of the door more desirable. It was concluded that the vehicle operator would have sufficient control over children in the front seat to permit such override operation.; We are still interested in the best arrangement of locking mechanism and override at the various seating positions. At the moment, available accident data does not justify further rulemaking. Your comments will be fully considered in the event we decide to take further action.; Yours truly, Richard B. Dyson, Assistant Chief Counsel