If you drive or ride in a car, there’s one simple tweak to exiting your vehicle that can prevent serious—and even fatal—“dooring” accidents. It’s called the Dutch Reach, and once you adopt it, you’ll never open your car door the same way again.
Instead of swinging the door open with your left hand, reach across your body with your right. That subtle twist turns your shoulders and head toward the lane behind you, forcing a quick glance over your shoulder at the blind spot where cyclists, motorcyclists, and even pedestrians might be approaching. In busy urban areas, failing to check that space is how thousands of people get struck each year by suddenly opened doors.
Here’s how to make the Dutch Reach a habit:
- Park as usual and stop the engine.
- Place your right hand on the door handle (or left hand if you’re in a right‑hand‑drive country).
- Reach across and pull—your body will naturally pivot to face traffic.
- Look in your side mirror, then over your shoulder.
- Only once the lane is clear do you open the door fully and step out.
It takes a single extra second, costs nothing, and can save lives. Law‑enforcement officers, cycling advocates, and road‑safety experts all endorse the Dutch Reach—and many driver‑education programs now include it in their curriculum.
This isn’t just for drivers. Passengers—especially those stepping out onto the street side—should adopt it too. Teach it to new drivers, remind elderly relatives, and ask rideshare passengers to try it.
In places like the Netherlands, where cycling is woven into daily life, the Dutch Reach isn’t a novelty—it’s standard practice. Cities that have promoted it report significant drops in dooring incidents.
Next time you park, pause for a moment. Use your far hand, twist, look back, then open. That tiny gesture can keep someone from a hospital visit—or worse. After all, protecting a fellow traveler is the simplest courtesy we can offer on the road.
