27. Automotive Electric Windows & Radios
Automakers should be encouraged to find a way for occupants in a vehicle to open electric windows without requiring a key placed in the ignition. Though it is not a general safety issue (because doors could be opened without the key from the inside), it is very frustrating for an ignition key to be required to operate electric windows. If battery power is required for this feature, then there should be an automatic timer that would shut this function off one hour after the car is turned off.
The same is true for automobile radios, which usually require an ignition key. To ensure that the radio won’t drain the car’s battery if accidentally left on, there could be a 1 hour timer that will automatically shut it off when the car is turned off. (Idea based on: John Clark, 7-13-03, USA Today.)