Check the trunk of your 2001 and newer sedan. You will find a glow in the dark inside trunk release and on some models even a motion sensor to alert the driver to errant golf balls, shifting groceries or the ocassional trapped person. If memory serves me the number of persons dying as a result of being trapped in the trunk is less than a dozen annually and they are almost exclusively small children who could likely not activate the trunk release anyway. Thank you government safety nannies.
I just figured they were so people could escape from the trunk when the mob was giving them a lift to the East river.
BTW, I wouldn't own any vehicle that has a trunk.