Another safety lesson from the Netherlands, the Dutch Reach is a simple way for drivers to prevent deadly collisions with cyclists.
Reuland Law represents cyclists who have been injured in dooring accidents. A dooring occurs when a driver or passenger in a vehicle opens their door into an oncoming cyclist. Opening a door into oncoming traffic is incredibly dangerous and often leads to life-altering personal injuries. Yet motorists can avoid harming cyclists simply by looking for oncoming traffic before opening their door.
The Dutch Reach is something drivers and passengers in vehicles should use to ensure that they don't hit a cyclist when opening a door. It is an easy method to reduce bicycle injuries and prevent fatalities. All someone has to do is open the car door with the hand farthest from the door.
It's that simple. Save lives by reaching across the body to open a door, instead of opening a door with the hand nearest the door. This action naturally causes the person to turn their body, allowing them to look over their shoulder for approaching cyclists before fully opening the door. By using the Dutch Reach, drivers are more likely to notice oncoming cyclists and avoid causing accidents known as "dooring."
You can learn more about Reuland Law's work with dooring crash injuries on its website, here.
Not long ago, Illinois started teaching the “Dutch Reach” to people getting their licenses for the first time. Unfortunately, too few drivers and passengers use the Dutch Reach and end up injuring cyclists who are riding by legally along parked or stopped cars. Safe drivers and passengers can easily avoid dooring crashes simply by keeping a safe lookout. It is common sense for drivers and passengers to check their mirrors and look over their shoulders before opening the door of a parked car.
If you'd like to learn more about the Dutch Reach, you can visit DutchReach.org. You can also speak with someone from Reuland Law, LLC by calling, texting, or sending us an email. Contact information is available here and consultations are always free. If you're seeking legal advice, the call is also confidential.
Comments