If you want to sit in a car, the first thing anyone has to do is open the door. While most people are careful when opening the door to get in, that is often not the case when they park and plan to get out. You may be surprised to know that many people have been doing this simple task incorrectly, and it can actually be dangerous. If you don’t open your car door the right way, it can become a safety hazard and may even lead to accidents on the road. So, how do you ensure that you are opening the door the right way? Let’s find out.
One of the most common mistakes people make while opening a car door is swinging it open suddenly without checking the surroundings, especially on busy roads. Many motorists fail to look for approaching vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians before opening the door, and this often leads to serious accidents.
While most people driving in India have a valid driving licence, they are often unaware of the correct way to do such simple things. This is not just the case in India, as similar examples can be seen in other countries too.
The dashcam footage above shows a busy road in an Indian city. As expected, there are vehicles parked on the side of the road while traffic moves normally. We see several two-wheeler riders on the left side of the dashcam vehicle. One scooter rider with a pillion passenger is riding along the left side of the lane at a normal speed. As the car approaches a Hyundai Creta parked on the roadside, the driver-side door of the SUV suddenly opens, and the scooter rider crashes into it. It is clear from the incident that the SUV driver did not check the surroundings before opening the door. The scooter rider falls, and thankfully, the dashcam car driving right behind the scooter stops in time.
If the driver had taken a moment to check behind before opening the door, he would have noticed the approaching scooter rider and could have avoided the accident altogether. Unfortunately, this is not the first time such an accident video has surfaced online. Millions of people around the world make the same mistake every day, resulting in accidents involving pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists.
The solution to this issue is the “Dutch Reach” technique. The Dutch Reach is a simple yet highly effective method developed in the Netherlands, a country famous for its cycling culture.
Cities like Amsterdam have an enormous number of cyclists, making road safety for cyclists and pedestrians extremely important. To reduce accidents caused by suddenly opened car doors, the Dutch Reach method is taught in schools across the Netherlands.
The concept is straightforward. Instead of opening the car door with the hand closest to it, you use the hand that is farthest away. For example, if you are sitting in the driver’s seat, you should use your left hand to open the door instead of your right hand. This small action naturally forces your body to turn toward the window and side mirror, allowing you to check for approaching cyclists, vehicles, or pedestrians in your blind spot.
Another advantage of the Dutch Reach is that it slows down the way you open the door. Rather than flinging it open in one motion, you open it more carefully and gradually, giving others on the road enough time to react.
It is a simple habit, but one that can save lives. The next time you park your car and prepare to step out, remember to practise this technique. It is important not only for your own safety but also for the safety of other road users.
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