Most people open their car door the same way they\u2019ve done since they first learned to drive \u2014 without giving it a second thought. But there\u2019s a small habit, known mostly in Europe and now spreading worldwide, that could dramatically reduce accidents and even save lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s called \u201cThe Dutch Reach.\u201d<\/strong> Sounds too simple to matter? Every year, thousands of cyclists are injured because a car door suddenly swings open in front of them \u2014 a collision known as \u201cdooring.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dooring accidents are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The frightening part? This is where using your right hand changes everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you reach across your body with your right hand to open the driver\u2019s door, your upper body automatically rotates<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This rotation forces you to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714 Look over your left shoulder In other words \u2014 you perform a safety check without even thinking about it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It becomes a built-in reflex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of relying on mirrors (which can have blind spots), you physically turn your head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using your right hand is slightly less convenient, which naturally makes you pause before pushing the door open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The majority of dooring accidents happen in urban areas with bike lanes directly beside parked cars. Passengers sitting on the right side should use their left hand<\/strong>, turning their body toward oncoming traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The name \u201cDutch Reach\u201d comes from the Netherlands \u2014 a country famous for its cycling culture. There, children are taught this technique as part of their education, and drivers are tested on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because of this single habit, the Netherlands has one of the lowest<\/em> rates of dooring accidents in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This tiny shift in your routine:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When practiced consistently, it becomes second nature \u2014 the same way buckling your seatbelt is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you drive in a busy city, near bike lanes, or even in suburban neighborhoods where kids ride scooters and bikes, adopting the right-hand door-open technique is one of the simplest acts of road safety you can perform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can help protect cyclists and pedestrians by teaching the Dutch Reach to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A single conversation can prevent a major accident later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most life-saving habits are complicated. Use your right hand to open your car door. A two-second action \u2014 with life-changing potential.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most people open their car door the same way they\u2019ve done since they first learned to drive \u2014<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4244"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4244\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4246,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4244\/revisions\/4246"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
And it simply means using your right hand<\/strong> to open your car door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s why it\u2019s so important.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Hidden Danger Most Drivers Don\u2019t Notice<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Most drivers never even saw the cyclist approaching from behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Happens When You Use Your Right Hand<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2714 Check your mirror
\u2714 Naturally scan for oncoming cyclists, cars, or scooters
\u2714 Become aware of pedestrians approaching your lane<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy the Technique Works So Well<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. It creates a natural awareness zone<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. It slows you down<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. It protects cyclists and motorcyclists<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This one habit could prevent most of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n4. It works for passengers too<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Where the Habit Came From<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why You Should Start Today<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Teach It to Others \u2014 It Spreads Fast<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This one isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turn. Look. Open.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n