The Unseen Danger of the “Mindless” Door Open
But here is the danger in this simple, natural action: using the left hand often means you do not turn your body. You simply swing the door open without carefully checking the space behind your car.
This action creates a major safety risk. There could be cyclists, delivery riders, people on scooters, or even a passing car coming up right alongside your vehicle. When someone opens a car door directly into the path of another road user, it is known as a “dooring accident.” These types of accidents can cause very serious injuries, especially to vulnerable road users like cyclists, and they are happening much more often than many people realize in busy urban areas.
Understanding the Life-Saving “Dutch Reach” Technique
Instead of reaching for the driver’s side door handle with your close, convenient left hand, you make the deliberate effort to use your right hand instead.
Why does this small change have such a massive impact on safety?
- Turn your shoulders
- Swivel your head naturally
- Look over your shoulder and into your mirror
That tiny physical adjustment turns what was a thoughtless, quick movement into a built-in safety check. It makes you far more likely to spot any approaching vehicle, bicycle, or scooter before you ever open the door even an inch.
