Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Is Car Company Responsible for a Woman's Rape?

KnifeMissile · 10-21-2003, 08:05 PM

There is an old but famous case (perhaps an urban legend but interesting nonetheless) where a woman sues an automobile company because her car was designed to not start without the seatbelt properly fastened and she was raped as a result of her not being able to drive away in a timely manner.

Who favours the rape victim?
Who favours the automobile company?

I think this is a bit tricky but I think I side with the automobile company. It is a perfectly reasonable thing to not start the car without the seatbelt on and this feature was not hidden from the user.
The one at fault is the rapist, not the automobile manufacturer.

Does anyone actually know what the verdict was? Thanks...

10-21-2003, 08:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
KnifeMissile Location: Waterloo, Ontario	Is Car Company Responsible for a Woman's Rape? There is an old but famous case (perhaps an urban legend but interesting nonetheless) where a woman sues an automobile company because her car was designed to not start without the seatbelt properly fastened and she was raped as a result of her not being able to drive away in a timely manner. Who favours the rape victim? Who favours the automobile company? I think this is a bit tricky but I think I side with the automobile company. It is a perfectly reasonable thing to not start the car without the seatbelt on and this feature was not hidden from the user. The one at fault is the rapist, not the automobile manufacturer. Does anyone actually know what the verdict was? Thanks...