Almost impossible to open doors of sinking car due to water pressure

New Straits Times

07-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Drivers and passengers have 30 to 60 seconds to escape if a vehicle plunges into a river or sea, says Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad.
He said the priority should be to stay calm, unbuckle seat belts and lower the windows immediately, as they are the main escape route.
"Get windows down as quickly as possible and exit through them. It is almost impossible to open car doors due to water pressure.
"You generally have 30 to 60 seconds to act before water pressure makes escape significantly harder," he said.
Nor Hisham said electric vehicles (EVs) are similarly affected. Though waterproof and equipped with safety shutdowns, their electronic window controls may fail faster.
"The electronic window controls in EVs may fail faster, so escaping through the window using a tool is even more vital," he said," he added.
He advised that all vehicles be equipped with emergency tools such as a spring-loaded glass breaker and a seatbelt cutter.
"These tools should be mounted within easy reach, such as on the driver's door or sun visor. If stored in the glove box or boot, they may be unreachable in an emergency."
Only side windows, not windshields, should be targeted in such cases, as they are designed to shatter with proper tools.
His remarks follow the discovery of a family of six who were found dead in a Proton Iswara submerged in Sungai Korok, Jitra.
Kedah Fire and Rescue Department Zone 1 chief Ahmad Aminuddin Abd Rahim said the bodies—two adults, three children and a baby—were found huddled at the back and left side of the vehicle.