I Just Learned from My Friend Who’s a Police Officer That You Should ONLY Open Your Car Door With Your Right Hand. I Repeat, Only With Your RIGHT Hand.
Certainly! Here’s the expanded (2x) version of your text about the Dutch Reach, with added depth, examples, and context while preserving the tone and structure:
The Dutch Reach: A Simple Habit That Could Save Lives
Every time you exit a car, you have a choice: open the door mindlessly or take a moment to ensure it’s safe. The Dutch Reach is a small but powerful car safety habit that can prevent injuries—and even save lives. Though it’s still unfamiliar to many, this technique is endorsed by traffic safety experts, medical professionals, and law enforcement around the world for its effectiveness in preventing dangerous accidents.
What Is the Dutch Reach?
The Dutch Reach is a technique that originated in the Netherlands—a country known for its cyclist-friendly infrastructure and road safety practices. The idea is simple: use your far hand (the hand opposite the door) to open your car door. For example, if you’re a driver in a country where you sit on the left side of the car, you would use your right hand to reach across your body and open the door.
This small change causes your torso to rotate, prompting you to naturally look over your shoulder and check your blind spot for any approaching cyclists, scooter riders, pedestrians, or vehicles before opening the door. It adds a built-in moment of awareness that can prevent serious accidents.
Why It Matters: The Dangers of “Dooring”
“Dooring” is the term used when a vehicle occupant opens a door into the path of someone traveling nearby—usually a cyclist. These collisions often result in severe injuries, as the cyclist may be thrown into traffic, crash at high speeds, or sustain head trauma. Tragically, some of these incidents result in fatalities.
According to transportation studies in urban areas, dooring is a leading cause of injury for cyclists, particularly in cities where bike lanes run alongside parked cars. And the worst part? These accidents are completely preventable.
How to Do the Dutch Reach
To start using the Dutch Reach:
-
Reach across your body with your opposite hand (e.g., driver uses right hand).
-
This forces your body to twist, prompting you to look behind.
-
Check your side mirror and blind spot for cyclists, scooters, or oncoming traffic.
-
Open the door slowly and only when it’s safe.
It takes less than a second and quickly becomes second nature once practiced a few times.
It’s for Everyone—Not Just Drivers
While the technique is especially vital for drivers, passengers should use it too—especially those sitting on the curbside. Many dooring accidents are caused by rear passengers opening doors without looking. It’s also an important habit to teach children, new drivers, and rideshare users.
Uber and Lyft have both promoted the Dutch Reach as part of their rider safety education. Schools in the Netherlands include it in driver’s education programs, and cities like San Francisco, Chicago, and Boston have begun integrating it into traffic safety campaigns.
A Global Movement for Safer Streets
The Dutch Reach is more than just a physical habit—it’s part of a larger cultural shift toward road-sharing awareness and empathy. As more people choose bikes, e-scooters, and walking as transportation alternatives, the risk of conflicts with vehicles increases. Teaching and normalizing the Dutch Reach is a low-effort, high-impact way to reduce accidents and save lives.
Final Takeaway
Next time you get out of a car, pause for just a moment. Reach with your far hand. Turn. Look. That one second of awareness could prevent a life-changing injury—or even save someone’s life.
The Dutch Reach is a small gesture with enormous potential. Make it part of your routine—and help create safer streets for everyone.
