Preventing “Dooring” Accidents: Adopt “The Dutch Reach” for Safer Streets
Hello, Oregonians! With the Tour de France in full swing, we’re reminded of the beauty, power, and importance of cycling. The personal injury attorneys at Spooner Staggs Trial Lawyers are avid cyclists and want to highlight a critical safety issue for riders: the risk of “dooring” accidents.
What is a Dooring Accident?
A dooring accident happens when a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist. This sudden obstacle gives the cyclist little to no time to react, often resulting in severe injuries.
“The Dutch Reach”: A Life-Saving Habit
In the Netherlands, a country renowned for its cycling culture, they’ve developed a simple but effective technique to avoid these devastating accidents called the “Dutch Reach.” Here’s how it works:
- Use Your Right Hand – When opening the car door, use your traffic-side hand, i.e. drivers would use their right hand instead of their left when parked on the right side of the street.
- Look Back – This action forces you to turn your body, making it easier to glance over your left shoulder, toward the traffic.
- Check for Cyclists – By looking back, you become aware of any cyclists approaching from behind.
This habit helps drivers and passengers become more mindful of cyclists and significantly reduces the chances of dooring accidents.
Why It Matters
The Travel Channel called Portland “the king of cycling in the US.” Bicycle riding is extremely popular across Oregon for commuting, exercise, and leisure, with even more riders climbing onto a road bike, mountain bike, e-bike, or bike share every day. This growth also means more dangerous dooring incidents. By adopting the Dutch Reach (or the “Oregon Open”? The “Portland Pivot”?), we can make our streets safer for everyone.
The Tour de France
As we watch the incredible athletes of the Tour de France navigate their challenging routes, let’s also think about how we can improve safety for our local cyclists. Adopting the Dutch Reach is a small change with a big impact.
Additional Tips for Preventing Dooring Accidents
- Be Aware – Always check your mirrors and blind spots for cyclists before opening your door. Use your far hand to do so. Two extra seconds could save a life.
- Educate Passengers – Make sure everyone in your vehicle knows about the Dutch Reach, and remind passengers to double check before exiting.
- Support Local Campaigns – Advocate for cycling safety programs and infrastructure improvements in your community.
Conclusion
At Spooner Staggs, we’ve seen firsthand hundreds of devastating dooring and bicycle accidents from both sides, representing seriously injured people and insurance companies. Most of these injuries can be avoided with a little awareness and a modest change in habit. Let’s all commit to using the Dutch Reach and make our roads safer for everyone.
Stay safe, Oregon, and enjoy the ride!