If you drive a car or ride in one frequently, what I\u2019m about to share could actually save a life. And I\u2019ll be honest \u2014 I had never heard of this before. It\u2019s such a small change in habit, but it makes a huge difference. My friend, who\u2019s a police officer, told me this during a casual conversation, and ever since then, I haven\u2019t opened a car door the same way.<\/p>\n
The advice is simple: always open your car door with your RIGHT hand \u2014 not your left hand, even if you\u2019re the driver. Sounds weird at first, right? But there\u2019s a powerful reason behind it.<\/p>\n
This method is widely known in parts of Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, where it originated \u2014 hence the name, the Dutch Reach. The concept is simple: instead of using your left hand (as most drivers instinctively do in countries where you drive on the right side of the road), you use your right hand to open the car door.<\/p>\n
This forces your body to twist slightly, turning your shoulders \u2014 and in doing so, you automatically look over your left shoulder toward the street or bike lane.<\/p>\n
That small motion gives you a chance to see if a cyclist, pedestrian, scooter rider, or car is coming up next to you. Without it, you\u2019re far more likely to swing your door open blindly \u2014 a mistake that leads to thousands of accidents every year.<\/p>\n
The Hidden Dangers of Doorings
\nIn the traffic safety world, there\u2019s a term for this kind of accident: dooring. It happens when someone in a parked car opens the door into the path of a cyclist or motorcyclist, causing a sudden crash. These crashes can lead to serious injuries, and in some cases, they are fatal.<\/p>\n
Dooring is incredibly common in cities where biking is popular, and it often happens because the person in the car simply didn\u2019t check behind them before opening the door. We\u2019re so used to stepping out that we don\u2019t think twice \u2014 until it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n
My police officer friend told me that dooring accidents are among the most easily preventable, and yet they still happen every single day. And that\u2019s exactly why officers and road safety experts are pushing for awareness around the Dutch Reach.<\/p>\n
Why Your Right Hand Makes All the Difference
\nHere\u2019s how it works, practically:<\/p>\n
You\u2019re sitting in the driver\u2019s seat.
\nInstead of reaching across your body with your left hand to open the door (which requires no shoulder movement),
\nYou reach across your body with your right hand.
\nThat action naturally turns your torso and head to the left \u2014 the direction from which cyclists or cars approach.
\nYou check your side mirror, then your blind spot \u2014 and only then do you open your door, safely.
\nIt becomes an automatic safety check \u2014 built into the act of exiting the vehicle.<\/p>\n
Not Just for Drivers: Pass It On to Your Passengers
\nThis tip isn\u2019t just for drivers. Front and back seat passengers should get in the habit too. If you\u2019re on the curbside, the risk might be lower, but if you\u2019re parked on a street where there\u2019s traffic or a bike lane next to you, the danger is real for everyone.<\/p>\n
Especially teach this to:<\/p>\n
Teen drivers
\nRideshare passengers (Uber, Lyft)
\nKids who are learning about street safety
\nOlder family members who may be set in their ways
\nIt\u2019s simple to teach: \u201cAlways use your far hand \u2014 not the hand closest to the door.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why Police Officers Emphasize This Habit
\nMy friend didn\u2019t just tell me this out of personal preference. Officers are trained to be extremely aware of traffic dynamics and the little habits that can keep people safe. In cities with high bike traffic, some departments even include the Dutch Reach in their driver education programs.<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t a TikTok trend or random online tip \u2014 it\u2019s an actual, researched safety recommendation supported by public health organizations, road safety commissions, and law enforcement agencies around the world.<\/p>\n
A Habit That Takes Seconds to Learn, but Lasts a Lifetime
\nThe Dutch Reach takes maybe an extra second or two. But that second might be the difference between a normal day and a trip to the ER \u2014 or worse.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve made this change in my daily routine. It took just a couple of days to feel natural, and now I catch myself doing it without even thinking. Honestly, I wish I had known this years ago.<\/p>\n
So, next time you park your car, remember this simple rule:<\/p>\n
Use your right hand to open the door. Always.<\/p>\n
Look back. Then step out.<\/p>\n
It could save someone\u2019s life \u2014 maybe even your own.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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