“Why were they called suicide doors? I haven’t found a reason yet.”
On early versions the door could be opened while the car was moving. Hence the door was not only ar risk of being torn off its hinges, the person who inadvertently opened the door could be pulled out of the car. However, modern cars are designed so that the doors lock when the car is shifted into drive. So, the risk no longer exists.
“modern cars are designed so that the doors lock when the car is shifted into drive. So, the risk no longer exists.”
You can always open any door on any car, even after it has been put into motion (unless it’s underwater), and I believe it is a MVSS for all American automakers and cars sold to buyers and/or drivers in the U.S.