Child safety

[John W. Kennedy]

Anent Is it impossible to open a refrigerator door from the inside? (http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050304.html), my 2004 Passat sedan has an emergency-exit handle in the trunk. (I also remember my high-school's walk-in vault, installed in 1959, had one.)

[HeyHomie]

Anent my 2004 Passat sedan has an emergency-exit handle in the trunk. (I also remember my high-school's walk-in vault, installed in 1959, had one.)

As does MammaHomie's 2001 Dodge Intrepid.

[An Arky]

I have an '02 Passat, and it also has the latch. You can also push the seat backs open from the trunk, as well, FWIW.

[mike1dog]

I don't know if it is a federal law or not, but all cars now have this feature. This has resulted in some oddities. For example the new Ford GT has one of these, yet not even the smallest child could fit in the trunk. You'd be hard pressed to fit more than a CD case in there.

[aruvqan]

Anent Is it impossible to open a refrigerator door from the inside? (http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050304.html), my 2004 Passat sedan has an emergency-exit handle in the trunk. (I also remember my high-school's walk-in vault, installed in 1959, had one.)

LOL, mrAru and I baffled our saleshominid when we were looking at the passat at the mall [they every now and then put the new batch of cars at the mall trying to get people interested in going to the dealership and driving one] when we both looked at the handle and I said 'note to self' and he finished 'dont use in a kidnapping' and we both giggled...we had just seen whatever that trash movie the transporter [he drives around with a body in the trunk]

[Annie-Xmas]

Best post ever (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5476578&postcount=7) on the subject.

[Meeko]

Don't have a cite, but I think after 2000 or so all new cars had to have a trunk latch.