Abstract: A door handle assembly for a motor vehicle which acts to preclude inadvertent unlatching of the door in response to a side impact. The assembly includes a side impact detector member operative in response to a side impact against the door with the handle in its closed position to move inertially from a neutral position, allowing movement of the handle to its open position, to a side impact position, blocking movement of the handle to its open position. The door handle assembly includes an actuator lever operated by the door handle and mounted for pivotal movement in response to movement of the handle, and the side impact detector member comprises a lever pivotally mounted on the actuator lever. The side impact lever normally forms a linear extension of the actuator lever but pivots inertially relative to the actuator lever in response to side impact to a position blocking opening movement of the handle.