Suicide doors are automotive doors hinged at the rear (opposite of normal), giving easier access but posing safety risks, leading to their discontinuation on most cars due to accidental opening from wind (the "suicide" aspect in early cars without seatbelts), though modern versions exist on luxury cars like Rolls-Royce and some special editions (like the Lincoln Continental 80th Anniversary) using safety latches and post-front-door opening, making them safer and more design-focused now.

Description

Hinge Location: Rear-hinged, meaning they open backward (away from the front of the car).

Original Use: Common in horse-drawn carriages and early automobiles.

Nickname Origin: Named "suicide doors" because the wind could catch them and blow them open, potentially causing passengers (without seatbelts) to fall out, or in newer designs, the door could fly open due to aerodynamic forces.

Why They Were Discontinued (Mostly)

Safety Concerns: The primary reason was the risk of accidental opening, especially before seatbelts became standard.

Hazardous: A rapidly moving car could catch a suicide door, ripping it off or ejecting someone.