The latest child fatality involving electric car windows highlights the risks with such devices, particularly in older models. There is still no mandatory requirement on manufacturers to fit anti-trap devices.
While there have been several fatal incidents involving children being caught in a closing window, European manufacturers have only recently begun to fit anti-trap devices. These sensors detect resistance against the window closing and automatically unwind them.
In the 1990s in Britain, after several publicised child fatalities, a voluntary agreement was reached with some car firms to introduce the anti-trap mechanism and change the switches for electric windows.
However, unlike European conformity rules regarding lights and other safety equipment, no such rules pertain to electric windows.
Electric windows were introduced in 1948 by Daimler, but only began to feature in the mainstream models in the 1960s. Today electric windows can be found on the most basic cars.
Problems initially arose with the switches, where windows could be closed by pushing down on the buttons. This meant that a small child could accidentally stand on the switch to close the window.
Most cars now feature switches that need to be pulled up, making it less likely that a child could get caught.
However, new one-touch automatic opening features have increased the chance that a child could get trapped. In some cars electric windows can also be operated for a time after the keys are removed from the ignition, so children left unattended in cars can also get into trouble.
While there is no way of permanently disabling the electric windows system - and fitting anti-trap devices after purchase would be extremely costly - most cars now feature a switch on the driver's side that allows the electric windows to be disabled.
According to Brian Farrell of the National Safety Council, the risks highlight the need for motorists to be ever-vigilant of children in cars.
"There are inherent dangers in a motor vehicle, and it's imperative that children are always supervised," he said.
"Indeed it's mentioned in the rules of the road. Of course, we understand the realities of life and distractions can arise, but we must always be aware of the dangers."
